Belgian cooperative Hoogstraten has ushered in its new strawberry campaign by presenting the first of its new-season fruit to the country’s monarch, King Filip.
The presentation, which was the first ceremonial season opening in two years due to the recent lockdowns, took place.on a visit to The Royal Palace of Brussels.
Grown by grower Luc Krijnen, the first strawberries were presented, as tradition dictates, by a brethren of strawberry ambassadors known as the Ghesellen van de Aardbei.
They were gratefully received by Nancy Monteyne, the king’s deputy chief of protocol.
Hoogstraten’s commercial strawberry begins officially on 30 March.
