King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands received a grand red-carpet welcome at State House Nairobi during their state visit to Kenya.
The Dutch royals arrived in the country on Monday evening and were warmly received by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe, and other dignitaries.
On Tuesday morning, President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto officially welcomed the King and Queen, who were accompanied by a delegation of Dutch leaders.
Dressed elegantly for the occasion, King Willem-Alexander donned a sharp blue suit, while Queen Máxima stunned in a sophisticated muted coral outfit paired with maroon shoes.
The red-carpet state welcome featured an impressive display of military tradition and precision, with the Dutch royals receiving a ceremonial 21-gun salute. Standing side by side, President William Ruto and King Willem-Alexander observed the salute, a mark of respect and a testament to the strong diplomatic ties between Kenya and the Netherlands.
Following the salute, King Willem-Alexander proceeded to inspect the Guard of Honour, who stood in perfectly synchronized formations, showcasing discipline and national pride.
After the inspection, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima greeted the assembled leaders, engaging warmly with dignitaries present for the historic occasion.
The state visit will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring investment opportunities between Kenya and the Netherlands.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima are set to hold high-level discussions with President Ruto and other top government officials, covering key areas such as governance, peace and security, and economic development.
To further enhance trade and cooperation, both nations will sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in vital sectors, including tourism, agriculture, trade, and logistics, fostering stronger business partnerships.
In support of President Ruto’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 to boost Kenya’s forest cover and combat climate change, the Dutch royals will also take part in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony in Nairobi.
The initiative also underlines the country’s (Netherlands) efforts on nature conservation and its cooperation with Kenya on the climate agenda.
They will also have an opportunity to talk with people from the local community, who are deeply committed to protecting the forest.
Kenya currently leads the way in Africa in climate adaptation and mitigation.
It hosted the first Africa Climate Summit in 2023