Queen Beatrix's Flower Opening

23 March 2009

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The Netherlands' Queen Beatrix opened the 60th season of Keukenhof's flower exhibition on Wednesday (18.03.09).

The monarch baptised the new Spring Garden tulip at the start of the event, which this year has the theme 'USA, New Amsterdam: New York, 400'. It is hoped the show will strengthen the friendship with the country's numerous US visitors as well as marking the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's journey to present day New York, sailing under Dutch flag.

Keukenhof is the showcase for the Dutch flower bulb industry, which contributes its best bulbs to the show gardens.

Approximately 10 per cent of customers purchasing tickets from the Keukenhof box office originated from the United States.

Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria opened the annual season in 2007, while Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander did the honours last year.

In 1962, Dutch Queen Juliana took all her royal visitors - including the Shah of Iran and Britain's Queen Elizabeth - by bus to Keukenhof when celebrating her silver wedding.

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