Queen Beatrix is making history today: this will be the first time a Dutch monarch has been on a state visit to the Gulf region. The emirate of Qatar is the first Gulf state on her itinerary.

Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima are expected to arrive at the airport of the capital Doha at 1100 local time. The royals will then proceed to the palace of their host Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani. After the customary inspection of the honour guard, the emir will offer his royal visitors lunch. In a marked deviation from standard protocol, there will be no speeches and no toasts at lunch.

Early in the afternoon, the royal visitors will join representatives of the Dutch business community, who have travelled to Qatar with Economic Affairs Minister Maxime Verhagen and employers organization VNO/NCW chair Bernard Wientjes in the hope of concluding new trade agreements.

Afterward, the Queen will visit the emirate’s state-of-the-art museum of Islamic art and take a short stroll through the Doha bazaar. The day will be concluded with a family dinner hosted by the emir and his wives at the al-Wajba palace.

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