May 3 to 6, 2025
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General and Commander‑in‑Chief of Canada, travelled to the Netherlands from May 3 to May 6, 2025, to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and the End of the Second World War in Europe, at the request of the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada.
As commander-in-chief of Canada, the Governor General took part in key commemorations to recognize the extraordinary service and sacrifice of Canada’s veterans whose actions forged an enduring friendship between Canada and the Netherlands.
May 4, 2025
The Governor General delivered remarks and laid a wreath to honour the memory of the soldiers who gave their lives for freedom during the liberation of the Netherlands and of Europe at the Holten Canadian War Cemetery.
With the end of the war came relief for the liberated, but also the realization that
liberation had come at a heavy, almost unthinkable cost.
Her Excellency also attended a lunch meeting with Canadian veterans to thank them for their role in bringing freedom to the Dutch people and to Europe.
In the afternoon, the Governor General met with Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.
Born at the Civic Hospital in Ottawa in 1943, Princess Margriet marks a unique chapter in the friendship between Canada and the Netherlands.
A long-standing relationship that continues to flourish and is celebrated every year at the Tulip Festival.
May 5, 2025
Her Excellency met with His Excellency Dick Schoof, Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs of the Netherlands.
The meeting provided an opportunity to continue to build strong connections between both countries.
The Governor General joined a large crowd for the National Ceremony of Capitulations 1945 at 5 Mei Square in Wageningen this morning. This milestone event marked the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in the Netherlands, and paid tribute to those who helped bring peace.
The ceremony was followed by the Freedom Parade, which brought together veterans, military representatives and members of the public to reflect on our nations’ shared history and celebrate the lasting partnership between countries.
A meaningful stop was made at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery to honour the memory of the soldiers laid to rest there.
That afternoon, Her Excellency visited an exhibit by Dutch professor Dr. Mathilde Roza, which explores the lasting contributions of First Nations and Métis soldiers to the 1945 liberation of the Netherlands.
May 6, 2025
As the representative of the Head of State in Canada and abroad, the Governor General had the opportunity to meet with His Majesty King Willem-Alexander.
This meeting was a powerful reaffirmation of the deep and lasting friendship between our two nations, built over decades of shared history and mutual respect.
The Governor General also stopped briefly at the Embassy of Canada to the Netherlands, in The Hague, to meet with embassy staff. She thanked them for their ongoing support throughout the visit.
Their hard work and commitment support the strong and collaborative relationship between our nations.
Before returning to Canada, the Governor General had an audience with His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.
