Dutch royals visited the Liberty Bell, a Kensington school, and the Eagles’ practice facility

The king and queen of the Netherlands had a packed Philadelphia agenda Monday, including checking out Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell with tour guide Gov. Josh Shapiro, visiting a Kensington high school, and touring the Eagles’ practice facility.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visited the United States to highlight ties between the two countries, and to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.

“It means a lot to us to be visiting the United States in the year you celebrate your 250th anniversary,” Willem-Alexander said Monday morning as he stood outside Independence Hall. “And where better to start than here in Philadelphia, in Independence Hall, a place where the story of the United States began.”

The Netherlands was one of the first countries to recognize American independence; Dutch settlers first came to Pennsylvania in 1614.

At a midmorning stop at the Cira Centre in University City, Shapiro, Pennsylvania first lady Lori Shapiro, and the royal couple discussed with Dutch business leaders how to grow their presence in Pennsylvania in industries including agriculture, life sciences, and manufacturing.

“At a time where I know there is great tumult in this country from federal policies, here in Pennsylvania we are a safe and strong bet to be able to come and do work here — a place where we’re cutting taxes, cutting regulations, and speeding up our permits,” Shapiro said during a speech following the roundtable.

A number of Dutch companies have significant presences in Pennsylvania, including Philips, which manufactures medical equipment and household products. Various Dutch investments in the state and trade between the Netherlands and Pennsylvania support 60,000 jobs in the state, Willem-Alexander said.

After the roundtable, representatives from both governments signed an agreement between Dutch firm VB Greenhouses and Little Leaf Farms, located in Banks Township, Pa. VB Greenhouses is building what will become the largest leafy greens facility in the world, said Rick Siger, Pennsylvania’s secretary of community and economic development.

While the state is working to attract Dutch and other international business partnerships through cutting red tape, Pennsylvania also benefits from a highly diverse workforce particularly suited to the interests and strengths of the Dutch in sectors like life science research, logistics, agriculture, and building trades, Siger said.

And, he said, “given the scale of Dutch investment in the U.S. and Pennsylvania, it’s an enormous opportunity to have their majesties here to build on that success and continue to grow.”

At Kensington High School for the Creative and Performing Arts — chosen for its proximity to a Fishtown apartment complex that features Dutch design, another stop on the royals’ tour — the royal couple listened to the school choir sing and watched a dance class perform.

Rameer Brown, 17, was part of the student tech crew capturing the king and queen’s visit and said he was nervous and excited to participate in something so notable.

“I think it’s very crazy that they would want to come to our school,” Brown said.

But the king and queen appeared delighted with the student interaction, nodding along as students sang the school song and smiling broadly as young women and men in gold sequins and formal black pants danced to “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” in a KCAPA dance studio.

“Incredible! Wonderful!” Máxima said as the dancers finished.

Then, the royals, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr., and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker stood in a semicircle and talked about the arts, unity, and entrepreneurship.

“We have a big modern dance culture in the Netherlands,” Willem-Alexander said.

Before the king and queen left for their next stop, they gathered close to the singers and dancers for a photo.

One young woman couldn’t help herself.

“I love your accent!” she said to the queen, who was born and raised in Argentina.

After the royal couple leave Philadelphia, they are heading to Washington, where they will have dinner and stay the night at the White House before traveling on to Miami.