Dutch State Visits to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania: June 11-15, 2018

[iceflower]

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will pay state visits to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania
between June 11 and 15, 2018.

** press release ** translation **

At the invitation of President Raimonds Vejonis they will make a state visit to the Republic of Latvia on Monday 11 and Tuesday morning 12 June. The state visit to the Republic of Estonia will then take place on Tuesday afternoon 12 June and Wednesday 13 June at the invitation of President Kersti Kaljulaid. On Wednesday evening 13 June [until] Friday 15 June they will then make a state visit to the Republic of Lithuania at the invitation of President Dalia Grybauskaitė

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[Mbruno]

A state visit to three separate countries in five days ? That sounds a little bit unusual.

[Marengo]

It is unusual indeed. It seems a bit rushed. I suspect we will see more of this in the future.

The destination is not surprising and an obvious priority for the Foreign Office. All four are countries of the new 'bad weather' coalition in the EU that was forced on by the Brexit. With their natural leader -Britain- out, these eight small Northern European countries need to (re-)align to make sure that their voices will be heard & that they will not be trampled by the larger countries. Coinsidently this week's The Economist dedicated the Charlemagne-page to it.

I am looking forward to seeing Dalia Grybauskaitė, the president of Lithuania and one of the longest sitting political leaders of the EU. Queen Beatrix wore a tiara for each state visit to the Baltic states, so it is likely we can look forward to three tiara appearances in a few days.

[Duc_et_Pair]

I find this a bit disrespectful. It is like a State Visit to the four Scandinavian countries, or the Benelux countries, in one go. Yesterday Oslo, today Copenhagen, tomorrow Stockholm etc. No I don't like it.

[Princess Larisa]

Quite unusual, I would expect two days in each country would make more sense and it would only add a day to the trip.

[Al_bina]

Perhaps the state visits are meant to display the European solidarity/support Pribaltika, backward fringes of the EU empire, craves so much.

[lucien]

Whatever the opnions on these visits,they were authorized by the respective governments,so,no disrespect there.Btw,the State Visit to Lithuania will be interrupted as on June 14th is the Remembrance of the mass deportations to Siberia by the Russians in 1941 of civilians of these three countries but the State Visit will be concluded the next day,june 15th.

[eya]

We have the programs fot these visits

https://www.royal-house.nl/latest/ne...tvia---program

https://www.royal-house.nl/latest/ne...ania---program

https://www.royal-house.nl/latest/ne...onia---program

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by eya

We have the programs fot these visits

https://www.royal-house.nl/latest/ne...tvia---program

https://www.royal-house.nl/latest/ne...ania---program

https://www.royal-house.nl/latest/ne...onia---program

It is confirmed then: three state banquets, which will give Máxima the opportunity of wearing 3 different tiaras (assuming all three events will be tiara events of course).


Not that many European queens could pull that off !

[lucien]

I recall then Queen Beatrixi visiting all three in a few days as well,
and,all three were tiara events.

[carina_a]

Maxima will most likely bring three different tiaras, I can't imagine her passing on the chance to showcase the Dutch jewellery vault

[Barbara21]

Originally Posted by eya

We have the programs fot these visits

https://www.royal-house.nl/latest/ne...onia---program

A state banquet in Keila-Joa Castle is very special, I don´t belive that any state banquet has been there. The Castle is located 26 kilometres and abut 25 minutes drive from Tallinn

[lucien]

Originally Posted by carina_a

Maxima will most likely bring three different tiaras, I can't imagine her passing on the chance to showcase the Dutch jewellery vault

HM Queen Máxima will not be in attendance since the passing of her sister Inés.
The Royal family is in Argentina now and HM The King will return after the funeral and will back in time to start the State Visit alone.

[lucien]

HM the King arrived in Riga last night.

Wishing Him strenght the coming week!!

[eya]

King Willem-Alexander at the welcome ceremony at the Riga Castle at the beginning of his state visit to Latvia.

Belga Image

https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...06-2018%20Riga

And the Gala tonight at the Riga Castle

https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...20Statebanquet

https://www.belgaimage.be/#/gallery/6202474

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj5J5isl...koninklijkhuis

[iceflower]

.

That'll be a less colourful series of state visits than planned and expected...


Here are some more photos of day 1:


** robinutrecht.photoshelter gallery **

[COUNTESS]

Underwhelming and sad. Poor Willem, I think he is thinking of his wife and family. This should have been postponed.

[M. Payton]

Yes, he most surely looks very sad and seems to be there but far away in the heart and mind......

[eya]

Second day in Latvia and the King Willem-Alexander meets Dutch people who live in the country, and visit the exhibition 'A Century of Latvia' at the National Historical Museum

Belga Image

https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...06-2018%20Riga

[iceflower]

.

By now King Willem-Alexander has arrived in Estonia and was welcomed by Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and her husband at Kadriorg Palace in Tallinn today, June 12:


** robinutrecht.photoshelter gallery ** gettyimages gallery ** anp gallery **