“Majesty, as usual we advise you to say as little as possible,” was one of the recommendations in a spoof royal briefing for the Dutch king and queen ahead of their visit to Donald Trump’s White House earlier this month. That piece of satirical advice in a comedy TV show then reeled off a list of topics that were especially off limits, including Epstein, Springsteen, gas prices and Nobel prizes.
The visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to the US president just after the latter threatened to wipe out the entire Iranian civilisation, was controversial among a large part of the Dutch population. But less so, it seems, than in the UK, where polls initially showed stronger revulsion at King Charles and Queen Camilla going across the pond. The British public might feel more satisfied, now that their monarch delivered such an effective speech in Congress.
When the Dutch Royals paid their visit, the prime minister, Rob Jetten, went with them. Some of the media coverage focused more on the “unique” opportunity for a Dutch PM, so early on in his term, to meet the American president, rather than on the anger over the visit itself.
In the case of the Dutch royal pair, Trump’s invite was an offer they couldn’t refuse after the president stayed with them during last year’s crucial NATO summit in The Hague. It was seen by the Dutch government at the time as a way of buttering up the American president, in order to save NATO. We’re still waiting to see how that worked out.
Charles and Camilla carry the burden of trying to salvage what’s left of Britain’s once special relationship with the US. But they might get away with staying across the road from the White House, rather than in the Lincoln bedroom itself, as Willem and Máxima did.
This prompted the same satirical programme that did the spoof briefing on Dutch TV, to call it “the strangest sleepover ever”, a remark that became a headline in The New York Times. The sleepover trope sparked online memes and fake videos, including one that had the Dutch king urinating in the White House swimming pool.
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The Dutch and British positions are not identical. Keir Starmer initially tried to ingratiate himself with Trump before breaking with him over Iran. The new Dutch PM, Jetten, having started only recently, could afford to take a more distanced approach. But for the Dutch, the discomfiting shadow of former PM and current NATO chief Mark Rutte hung heavy over the proceedings. At this point, nobody wants to be associated with Rutte’s sycophantic approach to Trump.
The Dutch king duly delivered what was regarded as a “brave” speech at an event before his dinner with Trump. He emphasised the importance of NATO, which, he said, should stand up against “ruthless aggressors like Russia”. He also mentioned how much the Netherlands cherishes adherence to international law and even dared bring up climate policy. Clearly, as with Charles’s remarks to Congress, the speech would not have been possible without government approval.
A “cosy” dinner with Donald and Melania was the main event for the Dutch royal couple and the Trumps even set an extra place for Jetten. Afterwards he told reporters it was not a “McDonalds menu” and that he enjoyed “a nice soup, fish and a delicious chocolate dessert”.
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The Dutch were eager to emphasise that it was not all just pomp and chocolate mousse, and that serious topics were discussed during the meal, which lasted 90 minutes longer than had been planned. Afterwards, Jetten said that they had agreed to disagree and praised the King’s involvement. “The King also weighed in, but in a decent manner, as is appropriate.”
In some ways, Charles and Camilla had it easier than the Dutch royal couple. The British royal trip focuses more on historic ties than current events and they will not be required to dine tête-à-tête with the Trumps, instead attending a state dinner.
Yet, as the visit of Willem-Alexander and Máxima has shown, however much a royal is required to remain above the fray, in the current climate that might be nigh on impossible. And the points raised by Charles in his speech to congress on the rules based order and the environment, will not have pleased many of the MAGA supporters in the audience – Trump among them.
And in Trump’s world, which is dominated by the constant cycle of grievance and retribution, people who get out of line are heading for trouble.
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