On Tuesday lunchtime, the Dutch Ambassador to Luxembourg, Peter Kok, hosted a reception at his residence in Kirchberg on the occasion of KingsDay, the Dutch national day.
Around 300 guests intended, including former Prime Minister, Jacques Santer, the current President of the Luxembourg Parliament, Mars di Bartholomeo, as well as various other ambassadors, including those from Ireland, the UK and the US.
Ambassador Kok spoke in both Dutch and in French, as well as in English, and joked about climate change, due to this week's drop in temperatures, but did equate the display of tulips around the grounds as similar to Keukenhof.
And he wished King Willem-Alexander a happy birthday, and said that he is enjoying his four years in Luxembourg, which have a year to go. He referenced the changeover of the European Presidency at the beginning of the year, from Luxembourg to The Netherlands, and also included various business and cultural references.
The playing, and singing, of the national anthems signalled the end of the formalities, allowing the reception continue for local business leaders and representatives of the Dutch community.
For further photos (Facebook album), see https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.867671266677513.1073741907.238112732966706&type=3
Photos by Geoff Thompson
