Royal couple mark Australian-Dutch special relationship

THE OPERA House was turned a brilliant shade of orange last night as Sydney played host to King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.

AUSTRALIA and the Netherlands have kickstarted “the next 400 years” of their relationship promising to be each other’s key to economic opportunities on the other side of the world.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima met Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy to talk trade, history and the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 which killed a combined 230 people from the two countries.

Queen Maxima wore a dashing bright orange dress and matching hat as she and the King arrived in Canberra before attending a concert at the Opera House.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima visit the Australian War Memorial yesterday. Picture: Mark Graham/AFP

The King met with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at Parliament House before heading to Sydney. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AFP

The tour began in Perth on Monday to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the landing of Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog in Western Australia.

“For us Australia is an access point to the Pacific region, to the Eastern Asian market and I think that Australia can really look at the Netherlands as part of an access route to Europe,” the King told Mr Turnbull.

“We are the fourth largest investor in Australia, second largest from Europe.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima with Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lady Cosgrove. Picture: David Moir/Getty Images

Julie Bishop, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, PM Turnbull, Queen Maxima, Lady Cosgrove, Governor General Peter Cosgrove and King Willem-Alexanderinside the Opera House. Picture: Richard Dobson

“We fight side-by-side in bad times; we stand side-by-side in good times.”

Mr Turnbull said recent global conflict had brought the countries closer together.

“Our servicemen and women have fought side-by-side in the Uruzgan province in Afghanistan and we are partners in a global coalition against Daesh,” he said.

“The tragedy of MH17 has brought us closer together than ever.

“We want to reiterate our firm commitment with you, to ensuring that justice is done and those responsible for that act of terrorism, that act of murder are brought to account.”

The Sydney Opera House was turned orange in honour of the Dutch royal visit. Picture: Richard Dobson

The royal couple with the PM. Picture: Richard Dobson

The King and Queen were all smiles outside the Opera House. Picture: David Moir/Getty Images