Princess Margriet of the Netherlands opens the 75th Keukenhof

Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, the aunt of King Willem-Alexander, opened the 75th edition of Keukenhof, the world’s most famous spring garden, on Tuesday, 19 March.

The Princess was received by dignitaries: Adri Bom-Lemstra, chairman of the industry body Glastuinbouw Nederland; Jaap Smit, the King’s Commissioner in the province of Zuid-Holland; Ms Lies Spruit, lord mayor of the city of Lisse, and Sandra Bechtholt, Keukenhof’s managing director.

Upon signing Keukenhof’s guestbook, the Princess was treated to a programme full of dance and music at the Oranje Nassau Pavilion. Performing artists include singer Fleur and opera singer Laetitia Gerards. The programme also featured a Symphony of Flowers opening spectacle with Keukenhof’s windmill as the backdrop.

Next, the Princess made a short walk about in the park.

This year, the world-famous Spring Garden Keukenhof is celebrating its 75th anniversary. It began in 1949 when a group of visionary bulb growers came up with the idea of holding an annual exhibition as a shop window for their products. Seventy-five years later, more than a hundred bulb companies and 600 cut flower and potted plant growers use Keukenhof to show the cream of the ornamental crop.

Thanks to the balmy spring temperatures, Keukenhof is already partially in bloom.

Keukenhof 2024 opens between 21 March and 12  May.

For more information, visit www.keukenhof.nl