There is a lot of grumbling in the Netherlands about the costs of the monarchy, including the expensive refurbishment of the Huis ten Bosch Palace. But Tuesday was a moment to be very proud of the Netherlands, the royal couple and the palace that was shining like a pearl for the NATO-top dinner.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney with his wife and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima © ANP / EPA
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were the host and hostess of the 32 state heads and government leaders of the NATO countries. For the audients that took place from four o’clock, she was wearing a Blush Broekpak from 2006 with a Roskwarts necklace. It was not her most flashy look ever, but this was just the supporting act.
Red carpet
The guests before dinner arrived around seven in the evening in the Huis ten Bosch Palace. The red carpet had been rolled out over the stairs to the landing and on either side of the door had been placed flower arrangements that winked at the fact that this is the house of Orange. The palace offers beautiful spaces for antichambreren and talking.
‘Even though Máxima missed her husband, she beamed in a romantic repeat dress’
Queen in Green
The Princess of Orange was also present in a long dark evening dress and turned out to be able to greet the government leaders despite her broken arm. © ANP
Máxima knew that the eyes of the world would be aimed at her: her glam squad was switched on and she wore a lime -green jumpsuit with a cape from Natan. Maybe a bit overdressed and not entirely a match with the atmosphere in the vestibule or the Oranjezaal, but after all she was at home – then you can wear what you want.
The Princess of Orange was also present in a long dark evening dress and turned out to be able to greet the government leaders despite her broken arm.
First Lady Loes
‘Based on the length of her skirt and the suits of Schoof and NATO boss Mark Rutte, the dress code was reasonably relaxed: no white tie or black tie, no tuxedo, rather the villa. ‘ © AFP
Loes Meurs, Prime Minister Dick Schoof’s partner, wore a blue dress with gold -colored motifs in which you can discover the colors of the European flag (blue with yellow stars) with a little imagination: very appropriate for this evening. Judging by the length of her skirt and the suits of Schoof and NATO boss Mark Rutte, the dress code was fairly relaxed: no white tie or black tie, no tuxedo, rather the villa.
Europe pulled out
President of Finland and his wife Suzanne Innes Stubb © AFP
The dark blue theme was strongly continued by Alexander Stubb, President of Finland and his wife Suzanne Innes Stubb. Finland has only been a member of NATO since 2023 and a very important country in terms of location compared to Russia.
Ursula von der Leyen, chairman of the European Commission. © AFP
Ursula von der Leyen, chairman of the European Commission, arrived in a very light gray side, a surprising variety with its usual work uniform of strict jackets.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden had taken his wife Marjolijne Droogleever Fortuyn, who chanted a little Julia Roberts in ‘Pretty Woman’ during the polo competition with her brown polkadots.
Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy. © AFP
Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, kept it tight and chic in a power suit with nasty stiletto heels underneath. The look radiated that there is no spotting with her.
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Three-course dinner
The dinner – three courses for 66 guests – took place in the famous Oranjezaal where everyone who enters always stops from the dozens of paintings and paintings from the seventeenth century. The evening is organized by the Department of the Hofmaarschalk that always organizes these types of revenue to the last detail, covers neatly to the millimeter and takes everything into account, also allergies and specific wishes. If the president feels like a diet coke, then he is already cold ready.
The menu
In the Oranjezaal of Huis ten Bosch Palace, preparations were made for the NATO dinner that King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima offer to the participating heads of state and government. © ANP / ANP
Around twenty chefs have prepared everything as much as possible at Noordeinde Palace, where the kitchens are larger, so that at Huis Ten Bosch only the finishing touches had to be made. On the menu no extra -skilled snacks, the eighteen lakeien mainly offered dishes with local ingredients on a link that the guests were allowed to brag. That sounds a bit cumbersome, but it is a diplomatic tradition and underlines that the host can be trusted. The king also eats the same dishes. All this is served on the ‘Blossom Panache’ service. The glass service comes from the royal couple’s wedding collection.
Who is true?
The table arrangement for a diplomatic dinner is always a puzzle, but one with a few fixed rules. The American president is the guest of honor and will be placed next to the host. Hierarchy also plays a role, longest ruling heads of state have been given a more prestigious place at the table. Because the king and queen cannot sit on all nine round tables, there was a table lord or lady from the court as a source of information, insider and someone who can keep the conversation going on the other tables.
Trump as a guest
“President Trump is known to thrive on admiration, the royal reception and setting will caress his ego.” © Getty Images
President Trump is known to thrive on admiration, the royal reception and setting will caress his ego. The invitation and dinner were also meant for that: America is and remains a very important ally of the Netherlands, where a pinch of royal diplomacy is a very wise investment. ‘The Donald’ is someone who can appreciate this and in turn is an exciting, unpredictable guest. In company he is a ‘High Energy’ hand shaker who is good in personal interaction, which has probably made dinner a lively matter.
‘Beautiful cape full of glass beads makes Queen Máxima extra shine’
Caterpillar
For the American president it was also a relaxed evening, without a displacement by uncomfortably deposited The Hague. He spent the night at the invitation of King Willem-Alexander in the palace. It is not excluded that there is just an informal after -seat in the Wassenaarse wing where the king’s family lives. From there, Potus (President of the United States) walked to the wing of The Hague, which is used as a guesthouse, among other things.
Early
Willem-Alexander, Máxima and the court must set the alarm clock, because Trump needs four to five hours of sleep a night. He likes to start his working day at six and also sits down for breakfast at Huis ten Bosch. There is another special photo moment with the royal couple on the schedule on Wednesday morning. Then he continues to the World Forum for the actual top.
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