Two State Visits of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima in March 2025

Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands and Queen Maxima had a busier month this year when it comes to foreign trips because this month, March, they made two official state visits. One in Cyprus and the other one in Kenya, a sub-Saharan African country. 

Welcome ceremony in Nicosia

On March 4, 2025, the Dutch King and Queen arrived in Nicosia but their official activities did not start until Wednesday. The state visit was at the invitation of President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus. It was the first-ever visit by a Dutch monarch to Cyprus, in what is expected to initiate closer cooperation between the countries.

An official welcoming ceremony was held at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday morning, followed by bilateral talks between the two delegations. The discussions focused on economic partnerships, investments, defense, shipping, and educational exchanges, with approximately 700-800 Cypriot students studying in the Netherlands annually. Agricultural economy, archaeology, and tourism were also on the agenda, alongside regional developments in Ukraine and the Middle East, migration issues, the Cyprus problem, and EU-Turkey relations.

State Banquet in Nicosia

On March 5 evening, President Nikos Christodoulides hosted a state banquet for the Dutch royals at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus' capital city. Queen Maxima looked resplendent in a beautiful deep red dress which she paired with a Diamond Bandeau.  

The King and Queen also hosted a return reception for the President and First Lady of Cyprus complete with entertainment and concert performances. 

State Visit to Kenya

On March 18, 2025, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima arrived in Nairobi for their three-day state visit. The visit was at the invitation of Kenyan president, William Ruto. The visit aims to enhance economic partnerships and deepen bilateral relations in areas including agriculture, water resource management, renewable energy, and technological innovation.mp, the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Reinette Klever, and the Minister of Defence, Ruben Brekelmans.

Dutch King and Queen during the welcome ceremony

During the visit, Their Majesties engaged in high-level meetings with President William Ruto and senior government officials to explore opportunities for further collaboration on key issues such as trade, investment, climate action, and sustainable development. They also met Kenyan business leaders, civil society representatives, and academic stakeholders to reinforce people-to-people connections between the two nations. 

State Banquet

On the first night of day one of their visit, President Ruto and his wife, Rachel, hosted a state banquet at the presidential palace. Queen Maxima wore a cobalt blue attire and a Sapphire Tiara. The King and Queen on the following day visited a sanctuary farm near Nairobi, which was home to Kenya's rare wildlife species. 

A visit to a sanctuary farm

Queen Maxima wears Etro on a visit to a sanctuary farm

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima visit the Supreme Court

On the last day of their visit, Their Majesties visited the Supreme Court in Nairobi. The visit highlighted the importance of an independent judiciary in ensuring inclusiveness and access to justice. The Dutch King and Queen also visited the Judiciary Museum.