First German Presidential State Visit in 19 Years: 21-Gun Salute on Dam Square as Catharina-Amalia Debuts German Order of Merit
German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender opened a three-day state visit to the Netherlands on June 9 at the invitation of King Willem-Alexander — the first state visit by a German he.
At a glance
- Frank-Walter Steinmeier began a state visit to the Netherlands June 9-11, 2026, the first by a German Federal President in 19 years
- King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima welcomed Steinmeier with a 21-gun salute on Dam Square, Amsterdam, on June 9
- A state banquet was held at the Royal Palace Amsterdam on the evening of June 9 with speeches by both heads of state referencing the 2026 World Cup and the 1974 final
- Princess of Orange Catharina-Amalia wore the Dutch Star tiara (Queen Emma's 1879 wedding gift) and her newly bestowed Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Queen Máxima wore Queen Emma's 1881 sapphire parure containing more than 600 diamonds and sapphires
VERDICT — CONFIRMED
German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender opened a three-day state visit to the Netherlands on June 9 at the invitation of King Willem-Alexander — the first state visit by a German head of state in 19 years. The King and Queen Máxima received the couple with a 21-gun salute on Dam Square in Amsterdam before a joint visit to the National Holocaust Museum. At the state banquet at the Royal Palace Amsterdam that evening, Willem-Alexander called Germany a cornerstone of Europe's economy, science and democracy, adding: "Germany sometimes underestimates itself.
We do not do that — including in football"; Steinmeier replied that the two countries are "like a couple who simply belong together... Except, of course, when it comes to football," as both leaders traded jibes ahead of the 2026 World Cup and recalled the 1974 final. The Princess of Orange, Catharina-Amalia, attended wearing the Dutch Star tiara — diamond stars given to Queen Emma at her 1879 wedding — earrings of Queen Juliana and a bracelet of Queen Wilhelmina, alongside her newly bestowed Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany; Máxima wore Queen Emma's 1881 sapphire parure of more than 600 diamonds and sapphires.
On June 10 Steinmeier met the presidents of both houses of the States General in The Hague, and Prime Minister Rob Jetten hosted a government lunch at Duivenvoorde Castle. Germany is the Netherlands' largest trading partner; the Netherlands is Germany's third-largest.
Why it matters
the Dutch crown is spending full ceremonial capital — including its heir's state-banquet debut role — to bind Europe's largest economy closer amid continental security and trade pressures.
Key facts on file
- Frank-Walter Steinmeier began a state visit to the Netherlands June 9-11, 2026, the first by a German Federal President in 19 years
- King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima welcomed Steinmeier with a 21-gun salute on Dam Square, Amsterdam, on June 9
- A state banquet was held at the Royal Palace Amsterdam on the evening of June 9 with speeches by both heads of state referencing the 2026 World Cup and the 1974 final
- Princess of Orange Catharina-Amalia wore the Dutch Star tiara (Queen Emma's 1879 wedding gift) and her newly bestowed Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Queen Máxima wore Queen Emma's 1881 sapphire parure containing more than 600 diamonds and sapphires
- On June 10 Steinmeier met both presidents of the States General and PM Rob Jetten hosted lunch at Duivenvoorde Castle in Voorschoten
- Germany is the Netherlands' largest trading partner and the Netherlands is Germany's third-largest
