Dutch King and Queen Begin State Visit to Luxembourg

At the invitation of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands started today, Wednesday May 23, a three-day state visit to Luxembourg.

Upon their arrival at the Luxembourg Findel Airport, the Royal Couple was received by Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie. Then, at the Grand Ducal Palace, the King and the Queen were officially welcomed by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess with a welcoming ceremony.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands were greeted by Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie at Findel Airport when they arrived for the State Visit to Luxembourg. #NLLUX (Photos: SIP / Emmanuel Claude) pic.twitter.com/fkaMHxzO1v

— ♔ RoyalArjan ♔ (@RoyalArjan) May 23, 2018

Vandaag begint het staatsbezoek aan Luxemburg. Het Groothertogelijk Paar ontvangt het Koninklijk Paar met een welkomstceremonie bij het Groothertogelijk Paleis. #NLLUX https://t.co/upiGaCCO2f pic.twitter.com/XcZrFMSD8k

— Koninklijk Huis (@koninklijkhuis) May 23, 2018

King Willem-Alexander and Grand Duke Henri inspected the guard of honour and the national anthems were played. Inside the palace, after posing for the picture, took place a private meeting.

Later the King and the Queen paid a visit to the Monument de la Solidarité Nationale, the national war memorial of Luxembourg built to commemorate the victims of the World War II, where they laid a wreath. At lunchtime took place a private lunch at the palace.

https://twitter.com/SydneyLux/status/999258285445443585

Koninklijk Paar legt een krans bij het ‘Monument de la Solidarité Nationale’, het nationale #oorlogsmonument van Luxemburg. #NLLUX pic.twitter.com/4FuysADO0Q

— Koninklijk Huis (@koninklijkhuis) May 23, 2018

In early afternoon King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima had meetings with the President of Parliament, Mars Di Bartolomeo, the Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean Asselborn.

Afterwards the Royal Couple was received by Lydie Polfer, Mayor of Luxembourg City, at the Hotel de Ville, the city hall. Then the King and the Queen, along with Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and the Mayor, took a walk from the city hall to the ‘lower city’ Grund and the fortifications. They were informed about the historic development of the city and the designation of the Old Quarters and the Fortifications as UNESCO World Heritage.

Day one of #nllux
Photos: @koninklijkhuis pic.twitter.com/tG8L8EyHyv

— Royal Circular (@Royal_Circular) May 23, 2018

Sur la Corniche, le plus beau balcon d’Europe, le Couple grand-ducal fait découvrir au Couple royal néerlandais la forteresse et la vieille ville de #Luxembourg, patrimoine culturel mondial de l’Unesco.
Plus sur https://t.co/AnSq9dmPBW
© Cour grand-ducale/Cyril Moreau/Bestimage pic.twitter.com/64vJ8ZzRHJ

— Cour Grand-Ducale (@CourGrandDucale) May 23, 2018

In the evening the Grand Ducal Couple hosted a state banquet at the palace. Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie were present as well.

King Willem-Alexander started his speech thanking for the warm welcome received. Then he praised Luxembourg for being an “excellent ally” to the Netherlands, adding that both countries “are also extra closely connected”.

“Openheid naar anderen en trots op de eigen identiteit kunnen heel goed op ontspannen wijze samengaan, zo laat Luxemburg aan de wereld zien. Het is een van de vele aspecten die dit land zo intrigerend maken.” – WA #NLLUX #staatsbezoek https://t.co/NXLJS9ZVe0 pic.twitter.com/gcgNgv4E2h

— Koninklijk Huis (@koninklijkhuis) May 23, 2018

Filed under Luxembourg, The Netherlands.

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