The Dutch royal couple are to visit Ireland in mid-June in an effort to forge closer ties with Ireland in advance of Brexit.

The itinerary of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima was published yesterday evening by the Dutch government.

The couple, who will visit from 12-14 June will divide their time between Dublin and Cork.

As part of the visit, the couple will visit a fort in Crosshaven, which was built to defend Cork from the advance of Prince William of Orange during the Williamite Wars.

The Dutch government will also sign an agreement on taxation during the royal visit.

According to the official Dutch press release, the agreement is "a revised tax treaty to avoid double taxation of income and capital gains and to prevent tax evasion and avoidance".

The Dutch king told Irish journalists in the Hague that he had originally expected his visit would be after Brexit, but that the deadline extension had changed that.

He said that the Dutch respected the British decision to leave the EU, but regretted it.

King Willem-Alexander said that he hoped his visit would deepen ties with Ireland.

He said the UK would continue to be friends, neighbours and close partners with historic ties but that there would be a shift in northwestern Europe after Brexit and that closer relations between countries in the region would be needed post-Brexit.

King Willem-Alexander said he hoped Ireland and the Netherlands could act to reduce the shock of Brexit for the rest of the EU.

The couple will plant a tree while visiting the President in Áras an Uachtaráin.

They will also visit Leinster House and meet the Ceann Comhairle and Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and visit the Taoiseach in Government Buildings.

The king paid tribute to the altruism and dignity of Irishwoman Adrienne Cullen who campaigned for transparency in the Dutch medical system after her misdiagnosis with terminal cancer.

A wreath will be laid by the Dutch king at the Garden of Remembrance. He will also visit Camden Fort Meagher in Crosshaven, which was built to defend Cork during the Williamite Wars.

Asked about his view on the role the Prince William of Orange’s role in Irish history, the Dutch king said that battles between Ireland and the Netherlands were now fought on the football pitch.

He said he fondly remembered the meeting of teams in Orlando in 1994 and the rapport between the countries’ fans.

A keen pilot, who has flown for KLM, the Dutch king revealed that Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary once jokingly asked him if he would work for Ryanair.

He subsequently contacted Mr O’Leary during a pilot strike in Ryanair to inquire if the offer still stood. It is understood the king formed the impression that Mr O’Leary was not impressed with his inquiry.

The royal couple will visit the Silicon Docks, Trinity College Dublin and the Botanical Gardens in Dublin during their visit.

They will also host a performance of the Netherlands Dance Theatre in the Bord Gáis Theatre.