{"id":41142,"date":"2026-06-15T16:32:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T16:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/41142\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T16:32:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T16:32:18","slug":"king-willem-alexander-and-queen-maxima-of-the-netherlands-watched-the-world-cup-with-japans-emperor-naruhito-and-empress-masako","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/41142\/","title":{"rendered":"King Willem-Alexander and Queen M\u00e1xima of the Netherlands Watched the World Cup With Japan\u2019s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Estimated2 min read<\/p>\n

Japan\u2019s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watched their team\u2019s dramatic 2-2 World Cup draw against the Netherlands alongside King Willem-Alexander and Queen M\u00e1xima at Het Oude Loo, the Dutch royal family\u2019s weekend palace, on Sunday. The viewing came during the imperial couple\u2019s official visit to the Netherlands. \u201cSport strengthens bonds,\u201d read a caption<\/a> from the Japanese Imperial Household Agency on Instagram with a photo of the two royal couples, all of whom were wearing scarves representing their respective teams.<\/p>\n

According to The Japan Times<\/a>, it was the first time the Japanese royals had watched a World Cup match with another royal family since 2002, when, as crown prince and princess, they attended a Japan-Belgium match at Saitama Stadium alongside then-Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde.<\/p>\n

\"WC2002-JPN-BEL-ROYAL\"Katsumi KASAHARA\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Belgian and Japanese royals at Tokyo\u2019s Saitama Stadium at the 2002 World Cup, which was co-hosted by Japan and South Korea.<\/p>\n

Naruhito and Masako are scheduled to meet the Belgian royals again next Saturday when their European tour continues to Belgium before returning to Japan on June 26.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, in Texas, one member of the Japanese royal family was in attendance the match: Princess Takamado, the widow of the late Prince Takamado and a first cousin once removed of Emperor Naruhito by marriage, was seen on the telecast at AT&T Stadium in Arlington for the match.<\/p>\n

King Willem-Alexander and Queen M\u00e1xima have confirmed they will travel to the United States for the Netherlands\u2019 next group stage match against Sweden in Houston on June 20, as well as Cura\u00e7ao\u2019s opening match against Ecuador in Kansas City the same day. Several other royals are expected to attend matches during the tournament. Per Hola<\/a>, Spain\u2019s King Felipe will travel to Guadalajara, Mexico on June 26 at the invitation of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Prince William, who serves as Patron of England\u2019s Football Association<\/a>, has not confirmed his attendance but is widely expected to travel to the U.S. to watch England compete at some point.<\/p>\n

However, other RSVPs are less certain. Crown Prince Haakon and his son, Prince Sverre Magnus, had been considering attending the World Cup to support Norway\u2019s first appearance since 1998<\/a>. But Crown Princess Mette-Marit\u2019s recent health decline<\/a> has put those plans in question. Sweden\u2019s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia have also declined an invitation from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to Swedish media reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Rachel King (she\/her) is a news writer at\u00a0Town & Country. Before joining\u00a0T&C, she spent nearly a decade as an editor at\u00a0Fortune. Her work covering travel and lifestyle has appeared in\u00a0Forbes,\u00a0Observer,\u00a0Robb Report, Cruise Critic, and\u00a0Cool Hunting, among others. Originally from San Francisco, she lives in New York with her wife, their daughter, and a precocious labradoodle. Follow her on Instagram at\u00a0@rk.passport<\/a>.<\/p>\n