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House of Orange: Trump swaps beach hotel for royal palace
The Hague, June 24 (AFP) Jun 24, 2025
Change of booking: US President Donald Trump has swapped his NATO summit sleeping arrangements from a beachside hotel to the Dutch king's 17th century private palace.

King Willem-Alexander extended a royal invitation to his guest to stay in the "Hague Wing" of his Huis ten Bosch, nestled in the woods of the Dutch seaside city.

It means Trump will not have far to travel after the dinner Willem-Alexander is offering to the NATO leaders on Tuesday -- his original lodgings were in Noordwijk, some 30 kilometres (19 miles) away.

"The king did indeed offer accommodation to the President of the United States and he accepted that offer," the Dutch Royal House told AFP.

"It is customary for visiting heads of state to be offered accommodation... It is up to the guest whether or not to take advantage of the offer," said the palace.

Previous occupants have included Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and former US president Bill Clinton.

Before the hectic diplomacy of the NATO summit, Trump will also enjoy breakfast Wednesday with the king at the palace, according to his schedule.

Trump is known for his love of pomp and circumstance and royalty in particular, frequently expressing his admiration for Queen Elizabeth II.

The Huis ten Bosch, built in 1645, contains ornate rooms with vaulted white ceilings and chandeliers, according to pictures on the official website.

Among the rooms are the "Blue Salon", "Chinese Hall", "Japanese Hall" and "White Dining Hall", with a tennis court in the grounds.

The gala dinner will be held in the majestic baroque Orange Hall.

The palace is located in the Hague Forest, at the end of a long tree-lined path.

An AFP correspondent was able to cycle past the palace early Tuesday, joining hundreds of Dutch commuters on their way to work.

Spare a thought, though, for the residents of Noordwijk, a windy beach resort on the North Sea, that has been locked down for days in expectation of Trump's visit.

The gondolas of its Ferris Wheel have been removed for security reasons and roads in and out of the town blocked.

But the American flags fluttering along the beach promenade should not be completely unappreciated as several members of the huge US delegation will be staying there.


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