It started Wednesday morning with the long-awaited SAIL-In parade, a flotilla of tall ships, historic ships and countless pleasure boats that had sailed into the city. The last boats arrived around 6 p.m.

, and as the parade came to an end, the Royal Netherlands Air Force offered a fly-pass salute. The IJhaven itself was overflown by four fighter jets and three attack helicopters in the final minutes.

Adding to the excitement, King Willem-Alexander paid a surprise visit to the event aboard the Groene Draeck, his mother's sailing ship.

He pulled in shortly after 6 p.m., steering the boat himself and sporting a SAIL cap and shirt.

Princess Mabel accompanied him on the brief trip, closely followed by police boats and jet skis.

Highlights of the Parade
The Clipper Stad Amsterdam was leading the pack and was the first to make it to the city, not long before 2:30 p.m.

On board were Mayor Femke Halsema, Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène. It was welcomed at the Sixhaven with a salute of shots fired from a gun, and the Dutch national anthem, the Wilhelmus, was played. Red, white and blue smoke tinted the sky in celebration.



Organisers said it was the first time in a decade that ships, crews and visitors from all over the globe were able to experience the entire SAIL-In parade. The event, which typically occurs every five years, was rescheduled in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, the f.