King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands are heading to Philadelphia on Monday, April 13, for a tightly packed working visit that will bounce from Independence Hall to Fishtown to the Philadelphia Eagles' training facility. The Pennsylvania stop is part of a broader U.S. tour that also includes Washington, D.C., and Miami, all wrapped around themes of trade, innovation and the run-up to the United States' 250th anniversary.
Programme in Philadelphia
According to the Royal House, the couple will be welcomed by Gov. Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro before offering brief remarks to the press and stepping inside Independence Hall for a tour that highlights the Netherlands' role in the American Revolution. Their morning agenda also features a CEO roundtable and networking reception where business leaders will talk trade opportunities, especially in agriculture, biomedical science and high tech, and the King is slated to deliver a short speech.
Fishtown, schools and sport innovation
After lunch, the royal motorcade shifts gears to Fishtown. The King and Queen are scheduled to stop at Kensington Creative & Performing Arts High School and meet with Mayor Cherelle Parker, then head over to Lincoln Financial Field for a look inside the Eagles' training facility. That visit will include presentations on sports-related innovation and a focus on Curaçao’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, as reported by NBC10 Philadelphia.
Why the visit matters to Philly
The Royal House describes the programme as a way to deepen transatlantic cooperation in areas where Dutch and Pennsylvanian firms are already teaming up, from maritime manufacturing and flood resilience to healthcare and technology. Officials say the visit is meant to spotlight trade and investment possibilities that could bring jobs and long-term partnerships to the region during the U.S.'s 250th anniversary year. The Royal House notes that the trip is set to showcase economic ties in agriculture, horticulture, biomedical and high-tech sectors.
White House stop and the wider tour
After wrapping up in Philadelphia, the King and Queen will continue to Washington for a White House dinner and an overnight stay at the invitation of President Donald Trump, a detail the government confirmed following earlier reporting by DutchNews. The working visit will conclude in Florida, where the programme turns to the Kingdom’s Caribbean connections and resilience work in Miami.
