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CoronavirusThe Netherlands

Queen Maxima cycles to work to support reopening of famous museum

Museums and art galleries in the Netherlands are beginning to reopen after long closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic. However, new government guidance is for people to visit local attractions so Queen Maxima cycled through The Hague, where she lives, to see how one of the city’s most famous museums is tackling the task of welcoming back visitors.

Queen Maxima toured the Kunstmuseum in The Hague, famous for its collection of modern and contemporary art, after arriving there on bike.

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Maxima spoke to staff and curators about the work that’s gone into making sure the museum is safe to welcome back visitors and how ongoing restrictions will affect trips to the attraction.

She also heard about the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic in the arts sector and discussed how that could impact people and places in the weeks and months ahead.

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The Queen of the Netherlands also toured two of the exhibitions at the Kunstmuseum. She saw the works on show in ‘Royal Blue – the Most Beautiful Delftware of William and Mary’ as well as the display ‘Breitner vs Israels – Friends and Rivals’.

The Kunstmuseum reopened on June 1st 2020. Visitors will follow one way route that will keep them at least 1.5 metres away from each other at all times. They must also pre-purchase tickets by booking online at the museum’s website.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.