Akishino & Kiko Visit Netherlands

Japan’s Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko are in Holland to commemorate 400 years of trade between the two countries. The couple arrived on Friday, and got started with their official, yet private visits, on Saturday.

Haarlems Dagblad

First, Akishino and Kiko went to an organ recital at St. Bavo’s Church in Haarlem, which is not too far from Amsterdam. They listened to Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 ‘‘Fate,” played by Jos van der Kooy, the Church’s organist. Princess Kiko gave her try with the organ, though it is not known how well she did.

Next, the couple visited two museums, the first being Teyler’s Museum, which houses a large library of everything from biology to zoology. The second museum Akishino and Kiko toured was the Van Gogh Museum, which has the largest collection by the legendary Dutch painter.

Princess Kiko mentioned she was pleased to be able to walk the streets of Holland, something she cannot do back in Japan as a member of the Imperial family.

The Prince and Princess will be staying in the Netherlands for a full week.