King and Queen of the Netherlands welcomed to Britain on state visit
The King and Queen of the Netherlands have begun a state visit to the UK aimed at strengthening the bonds between the two nations.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were welcomed to Britain by the Queen during a ceremony full of pomp and pageantry but set against the political backdrop of Brexit.
The visiting head of state kissed the Queen warmly on both cheeks and clasped her hands with his, a gesture that was repeated by his wife.
On Horse Guards Parade, the king – making his first official trip to the UK – was also greeted by Britain’s political leaders including Prime Minister Theresa May, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and the Home Secretary Sajid Javid.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall had escorted Willem-Alexander and Maxima from the Dutch embassy to Whitehall.
Waiting on Henry VIII’s former jousting yard was the guard of honour formed by the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, in their scarlet tunics and bearskins.
Nearby was the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in their shining breast plates and plumed helmets and the Band of the Household Cavalry.
The trip follows a pattern that has been dubbed “Brexit diplomacy” – where either members of the British royal family visit EU countries or their heads of state travel to the UK, in an apparent bid to strengthen national friendships as the UK leaves the EU.
King Willem-Alexander has spoken of his, and the Dutch government’s, regret about Britain withdrawing from the EU.
In a press briefing with journalists earlier this month the foreign head of state said he would have liked the British people to have voted to remain in EU but they respected their choice.
