Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, center left, stand during a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, London, Tuesday Oct. 23, 2018. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are on a two-day State Visit to Britain. (Yui Mok/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands have both urged their countries to look beyond Brexit to a shared future as the Dutch monarch and his wife pay a state visit to the U.K.
In a rare mention of Britain's impending EU exit, the queen said at a Buckingham Palace banquet that Britain was looking toward "a new partnership with Europe," and said that as "innovators, traders and internationalists we look with confidence to the future."
The Dutch king said that, amid the focus on the technical details of Brexit, "we should not lose sight of the greater narrative that continues to bind us ... of freedom, openness and co-operation."
The king and Queen Maxima will meet Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing St. on Wednesday.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II makes a toast with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands during a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, London, Tuesday Oct. 23, 2018. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are on a two-day State Visit to Britain. (Yui Mok/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
Britain's Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, second right, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, right, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, left, pose for the media as they arrive for a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in London, Tuesday Oct. 23, 2018. (Peter Nicholls/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands wears the Stuart Tiara as she attends a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in London, Tuesday Oct. 23, 2018. (Peter Nicholls/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press