Dutch royals in Schleswig-Holstein

Translated and edited by Duke Michael of Mecklenburg and Baron Henri Estramant.

19 March 2015: Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Netherlands paid a visit to the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein after their State Visit to Denmark.

The visit had an economic character, and therefore took place in the company of Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Aid.

Medical Technology (Lübeck).

The Royal Couple was welcomed on Thursday, 19 March, in the Market Place of the Hanseatic City of Lübeck, capital of Schleswig-Holstein, by Minister-President Torsten Albig. The three held a private meeting in the City Hall, and later headed to Dräger Medical. The latter company produces high-quality medical technology for hospitals. The relevant topics discussed were the costs and effectiveness of medical care, and the sharing of Dutch/German experiences in implementing sustainable health systems. 50 Dutch companies partook at a networking event after medical systems at Dräger’s laboratoria were presented. Minister Ploumen also held a speech.

Biological agriculture, horticulture and food production (Trenthorst).

In Trenthorst the royals and Minister Ploumen visited Thünen Institut für Ökologische Landbau. During the guided tour of the institute’s farm, they were briefed on animal-friendly ranching, modern installations as well as healthy foodstuffs for cattle. The German Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Christian Schmidt, attended the visit.

Thünen Institut, Wageningen Universiteit as well as Bionext and the Louis Bolk Instituut signed a Letter of Intent on cooperation in the field of sustainable agriculture and food production.

The northern federal state of Schleswig-Holstein is the seat of Glücksburg Castle, cradle for namesake ducal house which holds royal rank in Denmark since 1863 and Norway since 1905. Likewise it held the throne of Greece until 1974. The incumbent senior agnate and Head of the House is His Highness Duke Christoph zu Schleswig-Holstein-Sondenburg-Glücksburg. The duke chairs the board of the family foundation that owns the ancestral Glücksburg Castle. He is married to HH Duchess Elisabeth (née Princess zu Lippe-Weissenfeld), and has four children, Princess Sophie, Prince Friedrich Ferdinand, Prince Constantin and Prince Leopold zu Schleswig-Holstein.