King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands Forced to Cut State Visit Short Due to 'Situation' at Home
The Royal House of the Netherlands announced that the King would be returning home early because of "the political situation that has arisen in the Netherlands," but said the Queen would stay a second day
The King's quick departure was prompted by populist Geert Wilders' withdrawal of his party from the ruling coalition over the Dutch government's asylum policyKing Willem-Alexander left his visit to the Czech Republic early on Wednesday, June 4, citing "the political situation that has arisen in the Netherlands."
A statement shared on Tuesday, June 3, by the Royal House of the Netherlands said the King would return home after the first day of his visit to the Czech Republic, where he was joined by his wife, Queen Máxima.
The statement referenced the collapse of the Dutch government, which was prompted by populist Geert Wilders' withdrawal of his party from the ruling coalition, per The New York Times. Wilders, a member of the Netherlands House of Representatives, pulled his party, known as the Party for Freedom (PVV), from the coalition "over a dispute about migration policy," the Times reported.
The Royal House of the Netherlands said the King was retuning home after PVV's resignation, but noted that the Queen would remain in the Czech Republic for the second day of the visit as planned.
"After the resignation of a government it is customary for the King to consult with his permanent advisers: the vice president of the Council of State and the presidents of the Senate and the House of Representatives," the statement read.
PVV left the government in The Hague over a dispute about the Dutch government's asylum policies, according to Politico. On the afternoon of June 3, Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he would give the government's resignation to the King after PVV's withdrawal.
Although PVV is stepping away, Schoof and other members of the government will oversee the country in a "caretaker capacity" until new leaders are elected, Politico reports.
At the start of their visit to the Czech Republic, the King and Queen were greeted by President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva Pavlová at the Presidential Palace in Prague, according to Hello!. While attending a state banquet during their visit, the Dutch royals gave President Pavel and his wife the Order of the Dutch Lion and the Order of the Royal Household.
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
In a statement posted to X on June 4, the president said The Netherlands was the Czech Republic's "stable partner" and the country's "largest foreign investor."
"Our joint efforts in support of Ukraine are crucial for the security and resilience of Europe," he wrote. "We are also linked by historical figures such as Jan Amos Komenský and Minister Max van der Stoel, who supported Czech anti-communist dissent."
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