King and Queen of the Netherlands visit Savannah ports

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Tuesday, royalty walked the streets of Savannah.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands are touring parts of our area.

The royal couple’s visited Savannah State University and discussed everything from AI to entrepreneurship.

They also stopped in Garden City, where the King and Queen focused on making ports more sustainable.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima met with officials at the Port of Savannah.

This visit was part of a working trip for the royals to highlight Georgia and The Netherland’s multibillion dollar relationship.

Officials used the Dutch royal visit to tout rapid growth at Savannah’s port and capitalize on The Netherland’s investments here in the United States

One that the Dutch Embassy said tops one and a half billion dollars in Georgia.

“This gateway port you see here is the second largest on the U.S. east coast. And by 2030, this will be number one on the U.S. east coast,” said Tom Boyd, Chief Commnications Officer, GPA. “Georgia is the gateway to the American consumer.”

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were joined by a delegation of Dutch business leaders.

The group sat roundtable discussed ways to make ports more sustainable and improve inland connectivity.

“We discussed the more obvious things like electrifying the equipment here or hybridization of the equipment here. Basically, reducing the emissions from the machines that operate here,” said Bas Verhaik, CEO of ELEO Technologies.

“What can we learn from each other? We have, in my opinion, only touched the surface on the possible exchange of ideas, but I’m sure that we Dutch can learn from the U.S. on enhancing rail freight capacity, fostering competition, and facilitating houses and other amenities for the workforce,” said Elisabeth Post, Chair at Logistics Alliance of the Netherlands.

The day began with a meeting at City Hall between Mayor Van Johnson and the Dutch royals.

The King and Queen also accepted a hand drawn picture from this Beaufort girl a moment her mom says she won’t forget.

“I’m married to a Dutchman and so the royal family is very important to us. So to have the opportunity to meet the king and queen while being in the United States is absolutely fantastic,” said Ashley Meijerink, a woman who greeted the royals.

Leaders from both The Netherlands and Georgia said even though their ports are more than 43-hundred miles away they face similar challenges.

“They struggle with the same issues and seek the same...solutions, making this visit all the more meaningful,” said Mark Harbers, Minister of Water Infrastructure and Water Management.

The King and Queen did not make any remarks to the press at their stops today.

The visit here in Savannah is part of a multi-day US trip for the royals.

They were in Atlanta yesterday and will head to New York state next.