King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands are the first European royalty to be announced to attend this coming month’s games in the USA, during this year’s World Cup.
In answer to questions about the King and Queen’s involvement during the Dutch Royal Family’s summer photo call at the Clingendael Estate near The Hague, The King was confident that he and the Queen will be in Houston to cheer Holland on against Sweden on the 20th of June and then travel to Kansas City later the same day, in order to see Curaçao’s first ever appearance in the World Cup finals, playing against Ecuador.
‘This is an even greater World Cup for us as Holland and Curaçao have both qualified,’ he told The Dutch press, ‘we will therefore be supporting two teams, not one’.
The King is apparently also hoping to watch Holland’s first fixture against Japan with Emperor Akihito of Japan, who will visit Holland at the time of the fixture.
It remains uncertain if the youngest generation of the Dutch Royal Family will also attend; Princess Amalia of Orange revealed that she will possibly watch a match with supporters at a public viewing in Amsterdam, rather than attend a fixture herself.
The Netherlands currently ranks as the world’s 7th highest-ranked side in FIFA and is perceived as one of the strong European candidates, even without winning the World Cup previously. Curaçao, in what is the country’s first appearance in the competition’s finals, became the smallest nation in history ever to compete in the tournament finals; an immense achievement for the Caribbean nation.
It is also reported that the British Royal Family will also be present in some numbers. Prince William is rumored to be heading to the US for matches throughout the tournament and may well be accompanied by his young son, Prince George, on this occasion, in tribute to the Royals’ relationship with English football.
The inclusion of European royalty will ensure even greater international interest in the tournament, which will be viewed by billions worldwide.
