King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands have hosted a Gala Dinner for the Diplomatic Corps with powerful words on the importance of peace.

The Dutch Royal Family hosts an annual dinner for the hundred plus diplomats who are stationed in the country. However, this year there was an added focus with the royals saying “In a turbulent world with increasing tensions, the connecting role of diplomats has become even more important.”

King Willem-Alexander gave his speech in English at the beginning of the dinner where he focused on the increasingly complex conflicts across the globe.. noting “the world we share is changing rapidly. Common rules and agreements are under pressure. Healthy competition increasingly takes the form of fierce rivalry. And unfortunately, tensions and conflicts disrupt the lives of millions of people…. the future is unpredictable.” 

In addition to the roughly 140 diplomats invited, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima invited over 70 individuals from the world of culture and the arts, as the theme of this year’s gala is art and culture. 

Queen Maxima rewore a gown from Jan Taminiau that she first wore in 2010 for Prinsjesdag. She paired the cream-coloured gown with the Dutch Antique Pearl Tiara. 

This tiara was created around 1900 for Queen Wilhemina and was based on a tiara that had belonged to Queen Anna Pavlovna. The diadem has a base of diamond strawberry leaves with seven large pear-shaped pearls that stand upright. 

The then-Princess Beatrix wore the tiara frequently and continued to reach for it while Queen. In 2001, Maxima wore the tiara without the pearls and she wore the full staging for the first time in 2007.