News of: Tuesday, January 16 2007,
Queen Elizabeth will visit Amsterdam on February 5.
Her visit is to mark the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the English Reformed Church in Amsterdam.
She will attend a normal church service, accompanied by Queen Beatrix.
In 1607 the first service was given in this church, and today services are still in English. This makes the church probably the oldest English language parish outside the UK.
The church is located on the Begijnhof (Beguinage), medieaval court with houses for religious women, one of the very popular attractions in the old centre.
After the service the Queen will visit the Amsterdam Historical Museum, just around the corner, where there will be an exhibition about the English Church, followed by a reception. In the evening the royal couple will fly home.
