The normally impartial Queen Elizabeth has publicly acknowledged Brexit for the first time.
Normally impartial to anything political, Queen Elizabeth has spoken publicly about the thing that's tearing the U.K. apart...Brexit.
Speaking at a state banquet in honour of King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima of Holland, the 92-year-old told visitors “as we look toward a new partnership with Europe” and spoke of the values shared by the UK and Holland which she called “our greatest assets.”
The Netherlands is a leading member of the EU, and as the U.K. struggles to secure a deal before they crash out of the bloc next March, it's unclear how many of the nation's economic bonds to European countries will remain in place.
In her speech the Queen said: “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.
“As we look toward a new partnership with Europe, it is our shared values and commitment to each other that are our 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.”
She went on to praise the economic and cultural links between the countries.
''Saddens us''
Also speaking at the banquet King Willem-Alexander urged Britain to lift the “shadow of uncertainty” hanging over Dutch nationals living in the UK after Brexit, something he said “saddens us.”
“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.”
