Looking back at the state visit to Italy

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The state visit to Italy was busy and warm, but more than successful. And for once, we could see the Dutch flag fluttering over the Palazzo del Quirinale, the presidential palace in Rome, with closely veiled national pride.

Positive press and beautiful pictures

The recently concluded state visit has perpetuated and strengthened the political and economic relations between the Netherlands and Italy. It has generated a lot of positive press in both countries.

The Royal Couple on the Capitoline Steps

And of course it was good for a series of beautiful pictures. On the Capitoline Steps, in Rome at Mayor Raggi in her office overlooking the Forum, in Milan with Mayor Sala at Da Vinci's Last Supper, at the market in Palermo, at Eataly in Milan, The royal couple were not to be ignored in the press.

The Royal Couple for Da Vinci's Last Supper — The royal couple before Da Vinci's Last Supper (photo: City of Milan)

Palermo

The most sensational was the visit to Palermo, a city that usually lies outside the route of foreign heads of state. This decision was enthusiastically greeted in the Italian press as proof that the Netherlands realizes that Italy will also continue under Rome. And that the royal couple solve the problem of immigration, where Sicily in the first line, didn't want to shy away from it.

Vatican

But also it Vatican visit has not gone unnoticed. In addition to the usual stages, a visit to the Pope (remarkably long, according to seasoned Vatican watchers) and the Vatican 'Prime Minister', Cardinal Parolin, especially caused the presentation of the commanding staff of William of Orange.

Understandable, because it was an act of great symbolic value: an icon of the Protestant revolt, taken as spoils of war by the Catholic Spaniards, now given to the Protestant king in the headquarters of the Catholic Church. If that can't be called symbolism! Minister Koenders, who traveled in the wake of the royal couple, was also impressed when he was allowed to hold the national jewel in his hands.

Minister Koenders with the commanding staff

Memorable

And finally the entire economic mission, 140 men and women, with the royal couple and Minister Ploumen on the steps of the Milan Triennial. That too was a unique spectacle and a worthy conclusion to a memorable visit.