Princess Ariane Of The Netherlands: Willem-Alexander welcomes Japan’s royals in Amsterdam
princess ariane of the netherlands was not part of the Amsterdam ceremony, but Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander formally welcomed Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan on Wednesday, June 17. The reception in Dam Square began a state visit that the Dutch side tied to more than 400 years of relations between the two countries.
The ceremony brought the royal and imperial couples into Amsterdam’s Dam Square for a military welcome, with local Japanese schoolchildren greeting them and both national anthems played. Later that day, Naruhito and Masako laid a wreath at the National Monument, and the Dutch royals hosted a state banquet at the Royal Palace Amsterdam.
Dam Square welcome
Willem-Alexander and Máxima received the Japanese emperor and empress at the start of the state visit in Amsterdam. The welcome was staged in Dam Square, where the two couples gathered for the ceremonial event and the military ceremony.
Local Japanese schoolchildren greeted the visitors as the anthems of both countries were performed. That sequence placed the formal welcome in public view before the rest of the day’s state occasions.
National Monument wreath
After the Dam Square ceremony, Naruhito and Masako went to the National Monument to lay a wreath. The visit then continued at the Royal Palace Amsterdam, where the Dutch royals hosted a state banquet later in the day.
The day paired ceremony with state hospitality, but the strongest visual contrast came from what Máxima and Masako wore. Máxima chose a lime-green dress covered in three-dimensional floral appliqués, with ivory pointed-toe pumps, a structured clutch, a matching headband-style fascinator and a soft ivory cape-style jacket.
Máxima and Masako attire
Masako wore a pale blue silk skirt suit with lavender piping, a matching structured hat, nude pumps and coordinating gloves. She also wore a single-strand pearl necklace and matching pearl earrings.
The visit centered on ceremony, but its schedule also showed how the Dutch palace used the day: public welcome in Dam Square, wreath-laying at the National Monument, then a banquet at the Royal Palace Amsterdam. For readers following the state visit, the practical takeaway is simple: the opening day was already fully staged in the city, with the main official appearances completed on June 17.
