Featured Image Credit: Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Europe, World News
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Europe, World News
United States President Donald Trump hosted King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at the White House on Monday (13 April).
The Dutch royals weren't on an official state visit, but their itinerary for their US visit included a dinner at the White House with Trump and First Lady, Melania Trump.
"Thank you for having us," the king said after he and his wife shook hands with Trump and Melania, as per White House pool reporters.
An official White House video shows the king and queen struggling to work out where to stand for photos for a few moments, before they were eventually ushered to the right of Trump, walking across from where they were originally standing nearer to Melania.
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People have since flocked to social media to share their thoughts on the exchange.
One X user speculated: "King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and his wife Queen Maxima refused to stand next to Melania Trump during the reception at the White House! What’s the real reason? Protocol or hidden tension?"
"The king doesn't know where to stand," quipped another.
And a third added: "King Willem-Alexander did the right thing by switching positions - to let his wife, Queen Maxima, stand on his right."
According to The Royal House of the Netherlands, the visit will come to an end on Wednesday (15 April).
"Transatlantic relations between the US and the Kingdom of the Netherlands are important for our security and prosperity. The US is a key ally within NATO. Economic ties between our two countries are strong and wide-ranging," the website states.
It adds that the aim of the visit is 'to draw attention to and enhance our relationship and close cooperation in numerous areas, at both federal and state level'.
"The visit is an opportunity to mark the deep historical and cultural ties between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the US, in the year when the US is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its independence," the Royal House notes.
The Dutch royals' visit comes just a matter of weeks before King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will commence their own visit across the pond.
The long-expected historic trip will take place in late April despite calls for it to be postponed or even cancelled because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Trump declared the trip will be 'TERRIFIC!' and a 'momentous occasion' in a post on his Truth Social, adding that there would be 'a beautiful Banquet Dinner' at the White House on the evening of April 28.
He also revealed the 'historic state visit' will take place over four days from April 27-30 – despite Buckingham Palace deciding not to release the exact dates in its own official announcement.
"I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!," Trump added.
It will be the King’s first visit to the US as monarch and the first state visit by a British sovereign to America for nearly 20 years, since Queen Elizabeth II’s tour back in 2007.