The Netherlands and the Czech Republic reaffirmed their close ties: at the invitation of President Petr Pavel, the Dutch royal couple paid a state visit to Prague earlier this week. The focus was on political talks, cultural exchange, and a clear sign of solidarity with Ukraine.
At the invitation of Czech President Petr Pavel, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Máxima arrived in the Czech Republic on Tuesday for a two-day state visit. The ceremonial reception took place on Wednesday, 4 June, at Prague Castle. During the ceremony, President Pavel awarded the King the Order of the White Lion, Civil Group I Class, with chain. Queen Máxima received the same honour, without the chain.
On the same day, the royal couple and the presidential couple attended a memorial service at the Milada Horáková monument. Other items on the day’s agenda included a visit to the aid organisation People in Need and a tour of the Prague-Kbely military airfield. In the evening, King Willem-Alexander returned home early due to the tense domestic political situation in the Netherlands.
Queen Máxima continued the official programme on Thursday. At the Church of St Saviour in Prague (Kostel Nejsvětějšího Salvátora), she joined the presidential couple for the consecration of a new bell. The so-called Freedom Bell was made from metal captured from Russian weapons seized in Ukraine. With its inscription in Czech, Dutch and Ukrainian, it is intended as a symbol of peace, freedom and human dignity. The bell weighs over 220 kilograms and has a diameter of 69 centimetres.
Later that day, the Queen visited the headquarters of Radio Free Europe and attended the opening of the Czech-Dutch Economic Forum. At the end of her visit, she attended a performance by the Dutch National Ballet at the Estates Theatre in Prague.
