Willem-Alexander and Máxima bring some royal splendor to the German capital. During the state visit you have a lot of appointments in Berlin. But one thing is different than usual.
Berlin – The Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima arrived in Berlin on Monday for their state visit. The royal couple landed in a government plane at Berlin airport in the morning. It was greeted with 21 gun salutes.
A small mishap occurred when the king and queen got out of the jet in the pouring rain. The umbrella of an employee standing by folded down in the wind and had to be tamed. King Willem-Alexander (54) wore a suit, tie and beard. Máxima (50) came in a light summer dress with gloves, a slung jacket and hat. On the tarmac, they both wore face masks because of the corona pandemic.
The couple want to stay in Berlin for three days. Political talks are on the program, including with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU). In addition, the state guests visit several institutions of culture and science.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wanted to receive the guests at Bellevue Palace on Monday lunchtime. In the afternoon, Berlin’s Governing Mayor Michael Müller (SPD) accompanies the King and Queen to the Brandenburg Gate. Afterwards, both of them sign their names in the city’s Golden Book in the Berlin City Hall.
For the king it is the first state visit to Germany since taking office in 2013. However, since 2013 he has already visited all federal states. The official state visit planned for 2020 has been postponed due to the corona pandemic. The usual direct contact with fans and the curious with handshakes and photos at the barriers is therefore not planned this time. King Willem-Alexander is closely connected to Germany through his father, the German Prince Claus von Amsberg, and speaks fluent German. dpa
