Royal couple's sleepover at Trump's? Dutch outraged: “It's politically awkward”

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima began a three-day visit to the United States on Monday, the most controversial point of which is a dinner and overnight stay at the White House at the invitation of President Donald Trump. The trip sparked a wave of criticism in the Netherlands and a debate about the limits of diplomacy.

The visit has been widely commented on in the media for several days. The topic appeared in journalistic programs, letters to the editor were published, as well as a petition calling for the resignation from staying overnight with Trump. Critics point out that the acceptance of the invitation by the royal couple is politically and morally awkward in the current international situation, especially in view of the controversial statements and actions of the American president.

However, according to Dutch commentators, refusing the invitation was not an option. Trump stayed overnight at the Huis ten Bosch palace during the NATO summit in The Hague last year, and the invitation to the Dutch royal couple is seen as a diplomatic return visit. The Dutch government decided that due to the importance of the USA as a key ally in NATO and an important trading partner, it should not be abandoned.

As the royal court emphasizes, the trip is primarily of a working nature. In Philadelphia, Wilhelm-Aleksander and Maksima will meet with the authorities of the state of Pennsylvania and business representatives, and the program also refers to the 250th anniversary of American independence.

In the evening the king and queen go to Washington. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten is also scheduled to attend the dinner at the White House. He announced that he wants to use the meeting to talk about the war in the Middle East and economic cooperation. According to the media, however, the White House treats the meeting mainly as a private visit, so journalists will not be able to ask questions.

After staying overnight at the Lincoln Bedroom, the royal couple will travel to Miami. The talks there will concern, among others: trade, innovation, maritime economy, flood protection and US ties with the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Dutch commentators emphasize that although the visit is risky for the monarch's image, the king is acting in line with the government's line. In this logic, a meeting with a controversial leader does not mean support for his policies, but an attempt to maintain relations with a country considered a strategic partner of the Netherlands.

Patryk Kulpok (PAP)

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