AMSTERDAM –
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, on a state go to to the Netherlands, reunited with Princess Catharina-Amalia, the Dutch princess who was photographed holding arms with Princess Aiko 20 years in the past, in a go to that highlighted the lengthy friendship between the Japanese imperial household and the Dutch royal home.
The emperor and empress attended a banquet hosted by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima throughout their official go to as state visitors.
Speaking in English, the emperor mentioned, “I was fortunate to spend a wonderful summer holiday with Masako and our daughter Aiko at Het Oude Loo Palace.”
He was referring to the summer season of 20 years in the past, when the imperial household stayed at a villa of the Dutch royal household.
At the time, 4-year-old Princess Aiko was seen holding arms with Princess Catharina-Amalia, the eldest daughter of the Dutch king and queen, who was then 2.
During this go to, the emperor and empress met Princess Amalia once more for the primary time in 20 years and loved renewing their ties.
Princess Amalia, who’s of the identical era as Princess Aiko, is now first in line to the Dutch throne and is anticipated to develop into queen sooner or later.
One episode involving the princess drew consideration throughout a 2024 photograph session of the Dutch royal household.
The focus unexpectedly fell on the household’s pet canine, Mambo, seen on the proper fringe of the {photograph}.
An unplanned bathroom break by the canine throughout the shoot softened the formal ambiance.
Princess Amalia was seen protecting her face as she laughed.
The princess is finding out regulation and different topics on the University of Amsterdam whereas getting ready for her future function as queen.
“I think she will become a good future queen,” one college scholar mentioned.
Princess Amalia has additionally develop into the primary girl within the Dutch royal household to undertake full-fledged army service.
The princess who as soon as held arms with Princess Aiko as a toddler has grown into a girl anticipated to assist lead the following period.
People within the Netherlands have warmly welcomed the go to by the emperor and empress.
At a royal warrant sweets store in Amsterdam, workers had been heard saying in Japanese, “We welcome His Majesty the Emperor!”
The go to, which traces the historical past of exchanges between the 2 international locations, additionally quietly mirrored on the troublesome previous they’ve confronted collectively.
At the National Monument in Amsterdam, the emperor and empress provided silent prayers for the victims of conflict.
Speaking in English, the emperor mentioned, “I sincerely hope that our two countries will continue to walk together under a shared wish for peace toward the future.”
The imperial couple’s go to to the Netherlands grew to become a journey linking greater than 400 years of historical past and friendship between the 2 international locations to the following era.