Tuesday 1 November 2016

Dutch State Visit to Australia, Day Two


King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima on day two of their State Visit to Australia
(photo NLinAustralia Twitter)

Day two of the Dutch State Visit to Australia had a relaxed air about it. After the historical and cultural ties emphasised as the tour got under way, this second chapter cantered along at an easy pace as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima got to experience one of the most famous days in Australia's social calendar, the Melbourne Cup.






The royal couple headed to the Ascot Racecourse for the world famous event after a morning that had already taken in business and education. They started off at Shell where they heard all about the largest floating LNG production in the world before heading out of this world on a trip to the Curtin University for a tour of the telescope project, Square Kilometre Array, which is being carried out there.



But it was the final stop on their itinerary that got the most interest as the King and Queen of the Netherlands headed off to the Melbourne Cup.

 

It's known as the 'race that stops a nation' and it's always held on the first Tuesday in November. First run in 1861, just about everyone wants to know who's running, who's watching and who ends up winning.



Despite the massive interest in the home grown aspects of this big day out, here were plenty in Australia who were just as keen to find out about the royal visitors to this cultural milestone with TV and radio stations covering Willem-Alexander and Maxima's arrival at the race. They watched the event itself on a TV screen in a private room at the racecourse.




The royal visitors ended the day enjoying the sunshine and the racing as they took a starring role in this annual glittering event. Day three of their State Visit will see them head to Canberra
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