Dutch King highlights Brexit uncertainty on visit to Britain
Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles, and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands arrive at Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
LONDON (Reuters) - King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands highlighted the "shadow of uncertainty" hanging over Dutch nationals living in Britain due to Brexit in an address to the British parliament on Tuesday during a two-day state visit.
The king used a speech to lawmakers and diplomats in one of parliament's grandest halls to express his regret over Britain's decision to leave the European Union next year - a body he said was flawed, but which had also made great achievements.
"It truly saddens us to see a close partner leave. But of course we respect your country's choice," he said.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands makes a speech during a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain, October 23, 2018. Yui Mok/Pool via REUTERS
Reaching a deal and predicting the consequences of Brexit was a highly complex task, he said, adding that the 150,000 Dutch nationals living in Britain and 50,000 British nationals living in the Netherlands deserved special attention.
"Many of them have lived and worked here for many years. They feel at home in their local community and their contribution to society is valued," he said.
"Yet these individuals now live under the shadow of uncertainty about their future status. I understand how difficult this is for them and I trust this uncertainty will be resolved."
Queen Elizabeth II makes a toast during a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, as part of King Willem Alexander's state visit to the UK,Êin London, Britain, October 23, 2018. Yui Mok/Pool via REUTERS
Earlier, the king and Queen Maxima were formally welcomed by Queen Elizabeth with a Guard of Honor before taking a state carriage procession along the Mall in London to lunch at Buckingham Palace.
The Dutch royals were also visiting the grave of William III and Mary II of England, the Anglo-Dutch couple who ruled Britain at the end of the 17th Century, and were also due to lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey.
After his address to parliament the king was scheduled to take afternoon tea with Elizabeth's heir Charles at his official Clarence House residence.
Queen Elizabeth II gives a speech during the state visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, at Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain, October 23, 2018. Yui Mok//Pool via REUTERS
Elizabeth was later hosting the Dutch royals at a banquet to celebrate the first UK state visit by Dutch monarchy for 36 years.
Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus visited Britain in 1982, while Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip paid a state visit to Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in 1958.
Queen Elizabeth II makes a toast during a State Banquet for the state visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, at Buckingham Palace,Êin London, Britain, October 23, 2018. Yui Mok/Pool via REUTERS
(Reporting by William James and Alistair Smout; editing by Stephen Addison)
The Duchess of Cambridge during the state visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, at Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain, October 23, 2018. John Stillwell/Pool via REUTERSBritain's Queen Elizabeth rides in the State Carriage during a state visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Victoria Jones/Pool via REUTERSBritain's Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, accompany King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands as they view Dutch items from the Royal Collection, during a state visit, at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Chris J Ratcliffe/Pool via REUTERSBritain's Queen Elizabeth accompanies Queen Maxima of the Netherlands as they view Dutch items from the Royal Collection, during a state visit, at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Chris J Ratcliffe/Pool via REUTERSBritain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands leave in a horse-drawn carriage after a Ceremonial Welcome during a state visit, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Matt Dunham/Pool via REUTERSBritain's Queen Elizabeth and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands leave in a horse-drawn carriage after a ceremonial welcome during a state visit, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Matt Dunham/Pool via REUTERSKing Willem-Alexander, and Queen Maxima, of the Netherlands, visit Westminster Abbey during their state visit, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Henry NichollsKing Willem-Alexander, and Queen Maxima, of the Netherlands, lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unkown Warrior in Westminster Abbey during their state visit, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Henry NichollsBritain's Queen Elizabeth, and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands travel in a carriage during a state visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands to the United Kingdom, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERSKing Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Briain's Prince Charles, review the Honour Guard during a ceremonial welcome at the start of a state visit at Horse Guards Parade, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERSKing Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands makes an address to Parliamentarians and other guests at the Palace of Westminster, during a State Visit, in London Britain October 23, 2018. Alastair Grant/Pool via REUTERSKing Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands makes an address to Parliamentarians and other guests at the Palace of Westminster, during a State Visit, in London Britain October 23, 2018. Alastair Grant/Pool via REUTERSKing Willem-Alexander, and Queen Maxima, of the Netherlands, lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unkown Warrior in Westminster Abbey during their state visit, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Henry NichollsBritain's Prime Minister Theresa May, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Jeremy Hunt, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall stand during a ceremonial welcome at the start of a state visit at Horse Guards Parade, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERSKing Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, wait to be greeted by Britain's Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at the Dutch Ambassador's Residence at the start of a state visit, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Tolga Akmen/Pool via REUTERSKing Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Briain's Prince Charles, review the Honour Guard during a ceremonial welcome at the start of a state visit at Horse Guards Parade, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERSBritain's Prime Minister Theresa May, arrives ahead of the ceremonial welcome for King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at Horse Guards Parade, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERSBritain's Prince Charles and Caamilla, Duchess of Cornwall accompany King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands as they view Dutch items from the Royal Collection, during a state visit, at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Chris J Ratcliffe/Pool via REUTERSBritain's Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands stand during a ceremonial welcome at the start of a state visit at Horse Guards Parade, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERSThe State Coach travels along the Mall during a State visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Simon DawsonBritain's Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Prime Minister Theresa May and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Jeremy Hunt arrive ahead of the ceremonial welcome for King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at Horse Guards Parade, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERSBritain's Queen Elizabeth, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall stand during a ceremonial welcome at the start of a state visit at Horse Guards Parade, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERSBritain's Queen Elizabeth and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands arrive at Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Peter NichollsBritain's Queen Elizabeth greets King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands during a ceremonial welcome at the start of a state visit at Horse Guards Parade, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERSGuardsmen stand ready ahead of the arrival of Britain's Queen Elizabeth and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, to Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Peter NichollsBritain's Queen Elizabeth greets Queen Maxima of the Netherlands as King Willem-Alexander looks on during a ceremonial welcome at the start of a state visit at Horse Guards Parade, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERSThe guard of honour stand in line ahead of the ceremonial welcome for King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at Horse Guards Parade, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERSGuardsmen stand ready ahead of the arrival of Britain's Queen Elizabeth and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, to Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
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