My association with the Netherlands began in rather unusual circumstances. In 1999, HNLMS Walrus, a Dutch submarine, entered the Port of Belfast. It was the first non-British naval vessel to do so since the end of the Second World War. My predecessor as Honorary Consul asked me to look after the vessel’s logistical requirements, as part of my business at the time involved ship's agency work. He subsequently recommended that I should succeed him as Honorary Consul for the Netherlands in Northern Ireland.

I was appointed on 8 August 1999 and eventually retired on 30 August 2026 — 27 wonderful years later.

The role changed considerably during that time.

Consular Assistance

In the earlier years, visits by Royal Netherlands Navy vessels were quite regular. They were always very welcome and generated considerable interest in Belfast and Londonderry. It was never particularly difficult to gather a group of interested visitors when the commanding officer issued an invitation for a tour of the ship!

For many years, accepting applications for Schengen visas and Dutch passports was also a significant part of the role. The introduction of biometric requirements eventually made it impossible to provide that service locally.

Of course, at the heart of the traditional consular role is assisting Dutch nationals who live, work or are visiting Northern Ireland. Occasionally, I would receive a call from a distressed tourist who had lost their passport. It was always good to hear the relief in their voice when I explained that a temporary travel document could be issued locally and there was no need to panic. Curiously, there was then a remarkably good chance that another telephone call would arrive before it had been issued to say that the missing passport had miraculously been found!

A more serious responsibility was visiting Dutch nationals who had been detained or imprisoned in Northern Ireland. These were certainly memorable experiences and gave me an insight into our legal and prison systems which relatively few people see. More importantly, there was a very human side to those visits. Whatever circumstances had brought someone into detention, they were a Dutch national a long way from home, often in a difficult situation. I like to think that, for some of those I visited, the presence of their Consul brought a little comfort and perhaps some hope. These visits are now dealt with centrally but, strangely enough, when that responsibility disappeared, I rather missed them.

Eyes and ears in the region

Northern Ireland has always enjoyed tremendous support from the Embassy in London, with regular visits from Ambassadors and colleagues from the economic, political and cultural departments. It has been a pleasure to help arrange programmes involving The Office of the First and Deputy First Ministers, The Northern Ireland Assembly, manufacturers, port authorities and cultural organisations.

Part of my job has also been to try to help those at the Embassy understand Northern Ireland — our politics, our history and our future. This is, of course, a hopeless task! Visits around Belfast, seeing the murals depicting our troubled past and the Peace Walls which still divide communities, have often helped bring that complicated history to life.

Culture

Culture has been another rewarding part of the role. Embassy's financial support has enabled Dutch artists, musicians and theatre groups to perform and exhibit in Northern Ireland. 

The Dutch Society has also been a wonderful source of friendship throughout my tenure. It may not be large, but its members are enormously enthusiastic — never more so than when Sinterklaas arrives at the end of November and adults and children alike enjoy a tremendous party.

It is difficult to select highlights from 27 years because there have been so many. Two political occasions particularly stand out.

During a visit by the Embassy’s political attaché in February 2010, at the time of the Hillsborough Agreement, we were at Stormont and were among the first to receive a hard copy of the newly published Agreement. It was quite something to find ourselves there as an important new chapter in Northern Ireland’s political process was unfolding.

On another occasion, during an Ambassador’s visit, I found myself in a room with just the Ambassador, the political attaché, Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley Senior. I will never forget that discussion!

The Honorary Consul network

Another great privilege has been belonging to the wider network of Honorary Consuls for the Netherlands. We are a friendly group and have always made a point of keeping in touch, sharing information and helping one another when questions or problems arise. Our annual conferences in London have been particularly enjoyable, as have the worldwide consular conferences in the Netherlands. Having the honour of meeting Queen Beatrix and King Willem-Alexander on several occasions is unquestionably among the great highlights of my time in office.

I am also a founder member of the Consular Association of Northern Ireland. The Association has created many opportunities for cooperation with the Northern Ireland Assembly, cultural organisations, the police, NGOs and minority communities.

Seven Dutch Ambassadors have served in London during my association with the Embassy and, without exception, they have been wonderful people to know and work with. The same applies to the many Embassy staff whom I have had the immense pleasure of getting to know and from whom I have learned so much.

My first piece of advice to my successor is very simple: always remember that you are allowed to say NO!

An Honorary Consul can very quickly find themselves being pulled in every direction. Choose carefully the events, invitations and activities where your presence can genuinely be useful and where you can contribute something.

Secondly, get to know the people at the Embassy and use their expertise. When an Ambassadorial or other official visit is being planned, do not try to do everything yourself. The Embassy team is there to help and to take much of the strain. Listen to their advice. They are exceptional at what they do and, after 27 years of working with them, I have sometimes suspected that the Netherlands Embassy in London must be one of the best Embassies anywhere!

For the Embassy network itself, I would simply say: continue to value your Honorary Consuls as the local link between the Embassy and the regions they represent. They can provide introductions, local knowledge and, perhaps most importantly, the context behind what is happening in their part of the country.

And to my successor: enjoy it.