Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands visited Saba Island

Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands visited Saba on Thursday 12 December. Saba is a Caribbean island which is the smallest special municipality of the Netherlands. In the morning, Princess Beatrix opened the Mary’s Point hiking trail in the new Mount Scenery National Park on Saba. The trail starts at Well’s Bay and continues to the abandoned settlement of Mary’s Point, founded in the seventeenth century. Afterwards, the Princess met with a number of local fishermen in the harbour.

In the afternoon, the Princess visited the Saba Lace Ladies to see them demonstrate their bobbin lace-making skills. This technique is a Saban tradition and is interwoven with the island’s history. The women meet every Thursday to keep the tradition alive.

Thereafter, Princess Beatrix visited the botanical gardens. At the entrance to the gardens, the Princess unveiled a new information panel. Many tourists visit Saba for its nature. This project has been carried out by the SCF. After unveiling the panel, the Princess spoke with staff and board members of the SCF and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA).