In 1978 then-Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands and her husband Prince Claus visited Australia on an official royal tour. The royal couple toured Australia from 26 May to 6 June, visiting the ACT and all states except Tasmania and South Australia. Malcolm Fraser, Prime Minister of Australia, formally announced their visit in a media release on 19 April 1978. The news also made Australian newspapers and magazines.
During the Western Australian leg of their trip, the couple travelled to Cottesloe where they viewed the Vlamingh Memorial, which commemorates explorer Willem de Vlamingh‘s arrival at what is now Western Australia. They also unveiled a plaque commemorating their visit.
In Victoria the couple visited the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, where Prince Claus planted a smooth-barked apple tree. The tree is still there today, now part of the Australian Drylands landscape revealed in 2024. During their time in Melbourne, the royal couple also attended a state dinner held in their honour. In 2024, menus from the dinner were incorporated into displays at Government House Victoria for its annual open day.
The smooth-barked apple tree Claus planted in 1978, photographed almost 50 years later. Photos by DACC, 31 May 2026.
In New South Wales the royal tour took Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus to the regional city of Orange, which is named for William of Orange. Around 450 Dutch people flocked to Orange for the occasion. Some 200 Dutch people, and 400 others, awaited the Princess and the Prince at a reception hosted by Orange City Council. The royal visit to the city made newspaper headlines; some of these newspaper articles are available here. According to the newspaper reports, the trip to Orange was the first stop in the tour where the Prince and Princess could engage with the Dutch Australian community. Reporters wrote that both the royal couple and the Dutch community members enjoyed the opportunity to meet and chat with each other.
Beatrix ascended to the Dutch throne in 1980. She next visited Australia with her husband in 1988, this time as queen.
