Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have moved to the Dutch Royal Palace in Amsterdam to attend formal events during their official visit to the Netherlands.
Since their arrival in the country on Saturday, the couple had been staying at the royal retreat Het Oude Loo Castle at the invitation of Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. The castle is in the nation’s eastern part.
The Emperor and Empress moved to Amsterdam on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the start of official events. They smiled and waved to a crowd that had gathered at a square in front of the palace.
They are scheduled, as state guests, to attend a welcome ceremony at the square on Wednesday morning and a banquet at the palace in the evening.
The Japanese couple, together with the Dutch King and Queen, watched the men’s soccer World Cup match between Japan and the Netherlands on television at the castle.
Japan’s Imperial Household Agency said the Emperor and Empress were pleased that the Japanese team tied the game at the last moment. The couples are said to have congratulated each other on how their teams played.