The snatch squad shows off its skills: Royal and Dutch Marines recapture 'stolen' ship in Thames exercise in front of an impressed Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander

  • The UK/Netherlands Amphibious Force stormed boat in a mock rescue mission
  • Squadron approached royals' ship in high-powered speed boats on the Thames
  • They boarded Dutch warship HNLMS Zeeland before apprehending a 'terrorist'
  • Dutch monarchs were accompanied by Duke of Kent and Countess of Wessex

British and Dutch marines showed off their skills on the River Thames today as they recaptured a ship from a 'terrorist' in front of the King and Queen of the Netherlands.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima watched on as soldiers from the UK/Netherlands Amphibious Force stormed their boat in a mock rescue mission.  

Today's grand display in the heart of London was part of the Dutch royal family's state visit to Britain this week.

The Dutch warship HNLMS Zeeland has been anchored next to HMS Belfast for the visit, in a sign of the close naval co-operation between the nations.

An on-the-water capability demonstration by the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the British Royal Marines takes place on the River Thames

An on-the-water capability demonstration by the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the British Royal Marines takes place on the River Thames

The king and queen of the Netherlands watched on as the high-speed army boats approached them as they stood on the deck of HNLMS Zeeland

As part of the demonstration, Dutch and British marines boarded the ship carrying the royals and apprehended a terroris

As part of the demonstration, Dutch and British marines boarded the ship carrying the royals and apprehended a terrorist (pictured in a balaclava)

The Dutch king and queen, accompanied by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, seemed impressed as the action unfolded feet away.

The Dutch king and queen, accompanied by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, seemed impressed as the action unfolded feet away.

British and Dutch marines raced towards the Dutch ship in high-powered speed boats, before boarding and apprehending a fake terrorist on the deck.

The Dutch king and queen, accompanied by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, seemed impressed as the action unfolded feet away.

The four royals then greeted members of the armed forces from both countries, before speaking to soldiers who helped with disaster relief following the hurricane that affected the Caribbean in 2017.

The two-day state visit was kicked off yesterday with a reception at Buckingham Palace in London.

This morning, at a state banquet in honour of the visiting royals, the Queen spoke publicly about Brexit for the first time.

She told the king that 'as we look toward a new partnership with Europe' the values shared by the UK and Holland 'are our greatest assets'.

British and Dutch marines raced towards the Dutch ship in high-powered speed boats, before boarding and apprehending a fake terrorist on the deck

British and Dutch marines raced towards the Dutch ship in high-powered speed boats, before boarding and apprehending a fake terrorist on the deck

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima watch on as soldiers from the UK/Netherlands Amphibious Force stormed their boat in a mock rescue mission

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima watch on as soldiers from the UK/Netherlands Amphibious Force stormed their boat in a mock rescue mission

The Dutch warship HNLMS Zeeland (left) has been anchored next to HMS Belfast (right) for the visit, in a sign of the close naval co-operation between the nations

The Dutch warship HNLMS Zeeland (left) has been anchored next to HMS Belfast (right) for the visit, in a sign of the close naval co-operation between the nations

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands with the Countess and Earl of Wessex (shown left to right) greeted members of the armed forces from both countries

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands with the Countess and Earl of Wessex (shown left to right) greeted members of the armed forces from both countries

The Queen added that as 'innovators, traders and internationalists we look with confidence to the future'.

The Queen, who remains impartial in political matters, chose to emphasise the qualities needed by the UK and one of its closet European neighbours going forward as UK politics continued to be deeply divided by the issue of Brexit.

Earlier, in a speech to both Houses of Parliament, King Willem-Alexander urged the UK to lift the 'shadow of uncertainty' hanging over Dutch nationals living in Britain.

And in his address at the Buckingham Palace dinner, with Mrs May seated nearby, the foreign head of state said: 'At present, a lot of attention is focused on the "technical" side of Brexit. That's understandable and necessary.

'But in the midst of all that complexity we should not lose sight of the greater narrative that continues to bind us.

'The greater narrative of freedom, openness and co-operation. Of growth and a prosperity whose fruits are enjoyed by all.'

Today's grand display in the heart of London was part of the Dutch royal family's state visit to Britain this week

Today's grand display in the heart of London was part of the Dutch royal family's state visit to Britain this week

 

Queen breaks her silence on Brexit – telling Dutch royals ‘shared values’ are what binds Britain to Europe and she is ‘looking to a new partnership’ during state banquet 

The Queen spoke publicly aboutBrexit for the first time, telling the King of the Netherlands that 'shared values' are what binds Britain to Europe as she 'looks to a new partnership'. 

Speaking at a state banquet in honour of King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima last night, Her Majesty added that as 'innovators, traders and internationalists we look with confidence to the future'.

The Queen, who remains impartial in political matters, chose to emphasise the qualities needed by the UK and one of its closet European neighbours going forward as UK politics continued to be deeply divided by the issue of Brexit.

The Queen (pictured delivering her speech next to King Willem-Alexander (on her right) chose to emphasise the shared ties binding Britain and the Netherlands 

The Queen (pictured delivering her speech next to King Willem-Alexander (on her right) chose to emphasise the shared ties binding Britain and the Netherlands 

Earlier, in a speech to both Houses of Parliament, King Willem-Alexander urged the UK Government to lift the 'shadow of uncertainty' hanging over Dutch nationals living in Britain after Brexit.

And in his address at the Buckingham Palace dinner, with Theresa May seated nearby, the foreign head of state said: 'At present, a lot of attention is focused on the 'technical' side of Brexit. That's understandable and necessary.

'But in the midst of all that complexity we should not lose sight of the greater narrative that continues to bind us. The greater narrative of freedom, openness and cooperation. Of growth and a prosperity whose fruits are enjoyed by all.'

In contrast to the speeches, the royal women, who included Queen Maxima, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall, put on a dazzling display of royal tiaras during the white-tie dinner.

The Queen told Holland's head of state during her speech: 'I recall the state visit of your grandmother Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard in 1972, when I spoke of how our nations' close understanding and relationship would become increasingly important as a new configuration of Europe was emerging.

The Queen, 92, walked alongside the Dutch King as they made  their way into the dining hall

The Queen, 92, walked alongside the Dutch King as they made  their way into the dining hall

'As we look toward a new partnership with Europe, it is our shared values and commitment to each other, that are out greatest asset, and demonstrate that even through change, our enduring alliance

remains strong, and as innovators, traders and internationalists we look with confidence to the future.'

In her speech, the Queen praised the close links between the UK and Holland which 'greatly contributes to the economic and cultural life of Britain'.

She added: 'The Netherlands are one of the United Kingdom's largest European investors. We have a thriving Dutch community, and artistic and sporting exchanges are at an all-time high'.

Willem-Alexander reiterated comments made before about regretting the UK's decision to leave the EU, but he respected the decision of the British people.

He went on to personally praise the Queen, highlighting her now famous appearance in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, describing her as the 'most fearless Bond Girl ever' for her role alongside 007 played by Daniel Craig.

The foreign monarch said: 'In recent decades, you have seen your country, Europe and the world change enormously. The world looks to you as a trusted beacon in the midst of upheaval.

'Your ability to keep in touch with the times is striking. You even have an adventurous streak, as you showed six years ago at the opening of the Olympic Games.'

In tribute to the close links between the British and Dutch royal families, Queen Maxima wore the famous tiara, from the Dutch royal collection, that featured the Stuart Diamond.

Prince Charles appeared deep in conversation with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands as they arrived for the state banquet
The Duchess of Cambridge walked alongside Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar as she made her way into the state banquet at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday night. Kate, 36, donned a flattering blue dress by Alexander McQueen for the occasion

Prince Charles appeared deep in conversation with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands as they arrived for the state banquet, while The Duchess of Cambridge walked alongside Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar

The large stone was originally bought in late 17th century by the British monarch William III, also Netherlands's Prince of Orange, for his wife Queen Mary II.

It returned to the Dutch monarchy after the pair died and was later incorporated into the tiara which was last worn, with the stone, in 1972 by King Willem-Alexander's grandmother Queen Juliana when she travelled to the UK for a state visit.

2018 marks the 330th anniversary of the Glorious Revolution, which saw William depose James II to become King alongside his English wife Mary.

Among the royal guests were the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, senior members of the Cabinet and leading figures from British and Dutch life.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who had met the Dutch king earlier in the day, was represented by shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry as he was believed to be attending a family event. 

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