WASHINGTON.– The kings of the NetherlandsGuillermo Alejandro and Máxima arrived in the US capital this Monday for a high-level meeting with the president. donald trump.
The official schedule highlighted a gala dinner in the White Housewhere the monarchs spent the night, a gesture of unusual diplomatic courtesy that breaks the tradition of hosting state visitors at Blair House.
The Dutch Prime Minister, Rob Jettenwas part of the official delegation and participated in the night banquet with the North American president.
This three-day visit, which includes stops in the cities of Philadelphia and Miamiemerged as a reciprocal invitation after the reception that the monarchs gave Trump last year in a royal palace during a summit of the NATO.
However, the political climate in the Netherlands is far from festive. The public opinion and various political sectors question the opportunity of the trip in a context of extreme friction international crisis due to the war in Iran and uncertainty about the future of transatlantic alliances.
The controversy rose in the Dutch media following the comedian’s satires Arjen Lubachwho described the meeting as “the strangest sleepover in history.”
Lubach joked about the contradiction of holding a party at the White House while the US government maintains a hostile stance in the conflict with Iran. For their part, opposition lawmakers warned that the royal couple are on the “wrong side of history,” while a public petition formally requested the suspension of the meeting.
At the legislative level, the prime minister Rob Jetten faced tough questioning in the Senate following Trump’s threats about the destruction of Iranian civilization. Despite describing these comments as “very worrying,” the head of government defended the diplomatic strategy of his country.
According to his vision, the Dutch presence in Washington allows a serious conversation about disagreements, something he considers much more useful than a protest through absence.
The streets of Hague They reflect this social fracture regarding the role of the crown. Local citizens expressed their discomfort and defined the delegation as a group sent to “please the abuser.”
Arva Bustin, 25, a fashion designer, said she found it “simply absurd” that the Netherlands would send its royals to meet “a very bad person who is really destroying the world right now.”
However, other residents maintain that it is vital to maintain the communication channels open, under the premise that the historical ties between nations are deeper than the political figures of the moment.
In this sense, royalty experts emphasize that the ceremonial monarchies They function as useful bridges when traditional politics goes through crises of confidence.
The diplomatic scene in Washington appears complex, not only due to the Dutch presence, but also due to the announcement of the next visit of the king Charles III and Queen Camilla of Great Britain.
This future British meeting raises doubts due to Trump’s recent rudeness towards the prime minister Keir Starmer. The issues of contention on the transatlantic agenda are varied and thorny: from the trade war global to Trump’s claims on the territory of Greenland.
Despite internal noise and external criticism, the Dutch crown is betting on symbolic value of his inauguration to preserve the relationship with his main Western ally.
The intention of the government of the Netherlands is to find a common ground on matters of strategic importance, even under the shadow of the American president’s aggressive rhetoric. The stay of Guillermo Alejandro and Máxima in the presidential residence will undoubtedly mark a milestone in the diplomatic history recent from both countries.
Reuters Agency and newspaper The New York Times
