President Nikos Christodoulides and First Lady Philippa Karsera-Christodoulides welcomed King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at the Presidential Palace this morning. This marks the royal couple’s first official visit to Cyprus.
The welcoming ceremony featured honors from the national guard and the national anthems of both countries. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima laid a wreath at the monument of Archbishop Makarios III. Following the ceremony, the President, First Lady, and the royal couple held a brief meeting in the President’s office.
President Christodoulides expressed his delight and honor at hosting the royal family, thanking them for accepting his invitation extended during their meeting in The Hague in February 2024. He highlighted the shared interests between the two nations, including education, agriculture, migration, and archaeology, noting the mission from Leiden University in Pafos.
In recognition of the historic visit, President Christodoulides bestowed the highest decoration of the Republic of Cyprus on the royal couple and presented them with gifts honoring Cyprus’s regional heritage and culture.
King Willem-Alexander expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and emphasized the importance of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. He acknowledged Cyprus’s role as a valued partner in the European Union and expressed a desire to enhance bilateral relations during their visit.
