PARIS--King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima ended their two-day state visit to France on Friday. The official visit started Thursday morning with a welcome ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in the capital of France.
The King laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier, under the Arc de Triomphe, after which the royal couple signed the Golden Book. Afterwards President François Hollande received the King and Queen for talks at the L’Élysée Palace.
At the Louvre museum the Dutch royals and the French President had a look at the wedding portraits of Maerten Soolmans en Oopjen Coppit, which were painted by Rembrandt. The 17th century portraits were a joint purchase of the Netherlands and France and will be alternatingly on display at the Louvre and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
In the afternoon there was a reception for the Dutch community in France, as well as meetings with the chairmen of the Senate and the National Assembly.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visited Parisian cafe Le Carillon on Friday, one of the locations that was targeted during the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015.
The royals listened to the cafe owner, an employee, first aid workers and residents describe the attack, its immediate aftermath, and the impact it has had on their lives.
The visit was not publicly announced in advance nor was it on the official agenda of the state visit, but the royal couple was joined by a photographer and videographer. Those at Le Carillon objected to meeting with journalists during the half-hour visit.
The cafe and another one across the street were two of six locations under assault on November 13 and 14, 2015. Some 15 people were killed at the two nightspots, and 10 others were injured. There were at least 137 people killed during the attacks, among them seven suspected perpetrators; another 368 persons were injured.
At least three Dutch people were among those injured in the attacks. Journalist Suzan Yücel narrowly escaped injury while having a drink at Le Carillon.
King Willem-Alexander praised and reconfirmed the Netherlands’ bond with France after the “deep wounds” caused by the terrorist attacks in Paris last year during Thursday’s dinner speech at the state banquet with President Hollande in the Élysée palace, ANP reported.
“Let’s make it clear again today that we believe in the values of liberty, equality and brotherhood. Let us be proud of our European culture in all its diversity, and our way of life,” the Dutch King said, adding that that pride “does not absolve us from the obligation to take an honest look at ourselves.”
The King also addressed the refugee crisis and the large number of asylum seekers entering Europe. “Only together can we meet the challenge,” he said, adding that the focus should not be on Europe alone, but also beyond its borders. “Our security is intertwined with the safety of people in the regions around us,” the King said.
In his speech, President Hollande also emphasised the close cooperation between France and the Netherlands, which is now also expressed by the two Rembrandt portraits which were collectively purchased by the two countries. They are currently on display in the Louvre and will be in the Rijksmuseum in early July. “A unique pair,” Holland said of the paintings.
