King Willem Alexander
The monarch visits soldiers in Lithuania
King Willem-Alexander (right) visited soldiers in Lithuania.
© imago images/PPE
Dutch King Willem-Alexander visited soldiers in Lithuania. Among other things, the monarch took part in an exercise.
Dutch King Willem-Alexander (55) visited soldiers in Pabradė in Lithuania. The monarch took part in an exercise as previously announced by the palace. The visit began with a briefing at the military training area. Afterwards he spoke to the Dutch armed forces.
Presence of the King is well received
The king was accompanied on his visit by Lieutenant General Martin Wijnen (57), the commander of the armed forces. According to Colonel Han Bouwmeester, the King’s visit was greatly appreciated by the soldiers. “The king is the highest authority in the Netherlands. If he takes the time to travel all the way to Lithuania, that’s motivating,” he said in the program “Goedemorgen Nederland” on NPO 1. The Dutch soldiers are part of the increased NATO presence aimed at protecting and, if necessary, defending the eastern flank of Europe.
The king then continued in the capital Vilnius, where he was received by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda (58) in the Presidential Palace.