NEWS RELEASES

May 6, 2005 (2:45 p.m. EDT)
No. 80

PRINCESS MARGRIET OF THE NETHERLANDS TO VISIT CANADA

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew is pleased to announce that Princess Margriet of the Netherlands will visit Montreal and Ottawa from May 9 to 14, 2005, to participate in various events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and the end of World War II.

“Canadians have long held a special place in their hearts for Princess Margriet, her family and the people of the Netherlands,” said Minister Pettigrew. “Not only did the Dutch royal family take refuge in our country during the German occupation of the Netherlands, but more than 7,600 Canadians gave their lives to help liberate that country. We are very pleased she will be here to help us celebrate our shared history and the end of World War II.”

“I am so pleased that we are once again able to welcome Princess Margriet to Canada,” said Veterans Affairs Minister Albina Guarnieri. “This visit emphasizes the tremendous relationship that Canadian veterans have maintained with our Dutch friends, and is certainly a fitting tribute as we mark the end of the war in Europe and celebrate the Year of the Veteran.”

Princess Margriet and her husband, Pieter van Vollenhoven, will arrive in Montreal on May 9 and take part in various activities over the next two days, including meeting with Canadian veterans at a hospital in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. On May 12 they will travel to Ottawa, where their schedule includes a tour of the new Canadian War Museum, the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the liberation of the Netherlands, and a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for a wreath-laying ceremony.

On May 8, just before their visit to Canada, Princess Margriet and Mr. van Vollenhoven will take the salute in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, from some 1,500 veterans from Canada, the United States, Poland and England on parade to commemorate the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca

Corey Hobbs
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
(613) 996-4649

Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
(613) 992-7468