West Point only royal stop in Hudson Valley

Netherland’s Prince Willem Alexander of Orange will come to the Hudson Valley in September before any of the Quadricentennial weekend celebrations in New York City, the Netherlands Consulate announced this week.

The prince plans to speak to cadets in the late morning of Sept. 8 and stay for lunch at West Point before continuing on to meet with dignitaries in Albany.  There are no other Hudson Valley stops planned at this point, officials said.

The prince and his wife Princess Maxima will participate in numerous Quadricentennial events during Sept. 9-13 in New York City, marking 400 years of positive relations between the Netherlands and America.  Henry Hudson explored the waterways of northeastern America 400 years ago on behalf of the Dutch East India Company, searching for an Asian trade passage.

Quadricentennial Celebration weekend also marks the state’s Heritage Weekend, Quadricentennial Commission chairwoman Joan Davidson said. More than 100 parks, historic sites and museums will be open for free or reduced rates Sept. 12-13. The Preservation League of New York State’s “Seven to Save” Quadricentennial sites will be open, locally including the Fort Montgomery at Rouses Point and the Plumb Bronson House, currently under restoration. For a full schedule, go to www.heritageweekend.org.

–Deborah Medenbach