May 7, 2002 (4:10 p.m. EDT) No. 48

GRAHAM WELCOMES VISIT OF PRINCESS MARGRIET

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham today welcomed the visit to Canada of Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and her husband, Pieter van Vollenhoven. The Princess and her husband will be attending the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Canadian Tulip Festival from May 9 to 12 in Ottawa.

"We are delighted that Princess Margriet can join us to celebrate fifty years of the Canadian Tulip Festival," said Mr. Graham. "The Netherlands' annual generous gift of tulip bulbs in gratitude for sheltering the Royal Family during the Second World War has added colour and beauty to Canada's capital each spring, while also serving as a symbol of the warm relations our two countries have enjoyed for more than half a century."

While in Ottawa, the Princess will meet with Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps, Minister of Veterans Affairs Rey Pagtakhan, and Mayor of the City of Ottawa Bob Chiarelli.

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