King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands have traveled to the former Dutch colony of Suriname for a three-day state visit marking the South American country's 50 years of independence.

On Monday, they were welcomed to the presidential palace in the capital, Paramaribo, by Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, who has been the country's president since 2024.

Later in the day, in a speech to the National Assembly, the king emphasized the historical significance of his state visit and called for open dialogue between Suriname and the Netherlands about their shared past, including slavery and the post-independence period.

"We have come to your country with one desire, and that is to strengthen our relationship with you as equal partners,” he added.

The king and queen were given a warm welcome to the National Assembly by lawmaker Bronto Somohardjo, who made the royals laugh when he made a tongue-in-cheek mention of Argentine-born Maxima's heritage.

He pointed out that just like the king, Surinamese men had South American wives.

"I don't know whether to congratulate you or wish you success, but in any case... you're standing firm in your shoes. And temperament at the dinner table, when we men have been a bit silly again, you are no stranger to it, King," he joked.

The royals were supposed to attend the celebration of Suriname's 50th anniversary of independence on November 25, but the king's schedule did not permit it.

It is the first visit by a Dutch monarch since his grandparents, Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, visited in February 1978.

The long absence of a state visit is attributed to political tensions between the two countries and the regime of former President Dési Bouterse, who staged a coup on February 25, 1980, and, through his party, controlled the political climate for a long time.