The heir to the Dutch throne has launched an Aboriginal art portfolio to honour the indigenous Australians who had first contact with Dutch explorers 400 years ago.
Prince of Orange Willem-Alexander and his wife Princess Maxima finished a six-day Australian tour in Sydney on Saturday with the launch of the Duyfken portfolio, at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Named after the ship of Dutch explorers, which landed on the coast of Western Australia in 1606, the limited edition print portfolio features the work of 10 Aboriginal artists.
Netherlands Ambassador Niek van Zutphen said revenue from the sale of the portfolios would go back to the indigenous community, and the art would provide a permanent record of the relationship between his country and Australia.
"Aboriginal people from the areas that are now Cape York, Arnhem Land, Melville Island, Tasmania and Western Australia were amongst the first to encounter the Dutch explorers," Mr van Zutphen said.
"Four hundred years later it is emerging artists from these areas who have participated in the formation of this portfolio and produced the wonderful artwork."
The Dutch royals met with a number of the artists present at the launch.
The Duyfken's landing is recognised as the first European discovery of Australia.
Prince Willem-Alexander, as the eldest child of Queen Beatrix, is first in line of succession to the Dutch throne.
He and his wife are now bound for New Zealand.
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