NETHERLANDS –
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watched Japan’s opening FIFA World Cup match towards the Netherlands along with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, highlighting the shut ties between the Japanese Imperial Family and the Dutch Royal Family.
The sight of the 2 royal {couples} watching the match facet by facet was featured throughout a broadcast by Dutch public media, drawing consideration within the host nation as Japan and the Netherlands confronted one another on the world stage.
The match was considered at King Willem-Alexander’s non-public residence. The Emperor and Empress, wearing coordinated Samurai Blue-themed apparel, wore supporter towels round their necks whereas cheering for Japan. The king was additionally seen taking a selfie with the Emperor, reflecting the nice and cozy and pleasant relationship between the 2 households.
The Emperor and King Willem-Alexander share a historical past of attending main sporting occasions collectively. During the Nagano Winter Olympics, they watched pace skating occasions facet by facet.
At these Games, Japanese pace skater Hiroyasu Shimizu gained the gold medal by defeating rivals from the Netherlands, a nation famend for its pace skating custom. According to accounts from the time, the king congratulated the Emperor, saying, “Congratulations,” after Shimizu secured the long-awaited victory.
Relations between the Imperial Family and the Dutch Royal Family have lengthy been characterised by a tradition of mutual respect, through which achievements are celebrated no matter nationwide rivalry. Watching a World Cup match collectively and seeing the competition finish in a pleasant draw added one other memorable chapter to the lengthy historical past of exchanges between the 2 royal households.
Source: FNN