King visits Sint Eustatius for First Salute's 250th anniversary

King Willem-Alexander arrived at Sint Eustatius airport around 15:00 local time on Sunday. On Monday he attends the Statia Day celebration, which marks the 250th anniversary of The First Salute.

On 16 November 1776 the American warship Andrew Doria entered the island's harbour carrying a copy of the American Declaration of Independence. It fired 13 cannon shots, and Fort Oranje answered with a salute of 11 shots. That reply is regarded as an early recognition of US independence.

On Monday the King gives a speech at the commemoration and opens the new Museum Fort Oranje. The permanent museum also tells the story of the First Salute from the perspective of enslaved people. He also visits cultural heritage projects, a care home and the Mega D Youth Foundation.

At the airport the King was welcomed by the island's lieutenant governor (gezaghebber) Alida Francis. Dancers and a singer of the Mega D Youth Foundation performed for him, and dozens of people had gathered. On Sunday evening he visits Fort Oranje for a light and sound show on the island's history, with a performance by singer Shirma Rouse, who grew up on Sint Eustatius. He ends the evening with a dinner with representatives of the local community.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten had planned to travel with the King but cancelled because of the "the political situation at the moment", the Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (Government Information Service) said on Friday.