From 7 pm Tuesday evening, NATO leaders and their partners trickled into the Woonpaleis van de Oranjes. Among the guests were also the Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, chairman Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission and the foreman of the European Council, António Costa. There they were not only greeted by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, but also by Princess Amalia.
Crown Princess Amalia made unexpected appearance
The crown princess unexpectedly made her appearance, and shook many hands under her proud parents – despite her broken arm. Amalia is clearly busy with her royal education. Earlier this year she met an Islamic head of state for the first time, the Sultan of Oman, during his visit to the Netherlands. In February she baptized the naval ship Den Helder, her first job without parents.
Donald Trump arrived last. He sat at the King and NATO CEO Mark Rutte at the table-the Ukrainian leader Zelenski was wisely placed elsewhere. The three members of the Royal House present were spread over three tables.
Army lakeien and twenty chefs
The atmosphere seemed to be in the right place immediately on the reception, and that is exactly what this dinner was meant for: talking about the content further in a pleasant ambiance. The tables were covered with centuries-old cutlery and Blossom Panacheservies, specially designed for Máxima and Willem-Alexander. A small army of Lakeien was in the attack to clean up, to pour glasses or pick up napkins.
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Twenty chefs had been eating for days. The entrance consisted of carbonized tuna with a mousse of Amsterdam outings, marinated vegetables, chives cream and a crispy outing. The main dish was a veal fillet with a sauce of chanterelles, asparagus, vegetables and potatoes. A chocolate cake with tonka beans, caramel and vanilla sauce was served for dessert.
Speech Rutte
After Mark Rutte Speechte de Koning. He held a hymn to the alliance and outlined the history of the Oranjezaal, where dinner took place. The walls were painted as a tribute to Frederik Hendrik. This stadholder once contributed to the drawing of the peace of Munster in 1648, between Spain and the Netherlands.
Then Willem-Alexander cited the Latin spell that was applied to one of the walls: “The highest victory is the triumph of peace.” “A spell that seems to me to be very appropriate for our alliance almost eighty years after the founding of NATO,” said De Koning.
Donald Trump, who is clearly folded during this top, already received some personal attention in the opening speech. “Mr. President, it means a lot for us to welcome you to our home tonight,” the host said. “We cherish the friendship bands that our countries will always unite.”
When announcing the dinner, Willem-Alexander said that he wanted to make it a “beautiful evening”. He added an ambitious wish for the two-day meeting on Tuesday evening. “Let future historians name the top of 2025 as a milestone,” De Koning decided. “If the top where groundbreaking decisions were taken and where unanimous responsibility was taken for the preservation of peace, freedom and legal certainty.”