Duchess of Cambridge: Smiling Kate's Brexit charm offensive tour to Luxembourg paying off as officials praise UK

Luxembourg's PM Xavier Bettel, Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg, Britain's Kate and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg.
AP
Robert Jobson11 May 2017

The Duchess of Cambridge's tour was billed a Brexit charm offensive and today it already paid off - as a Luxembourg minister praised British "pragmatism".

Francine Closener, Luxembourg's economy, international security and defence secretary supremo, described the "common value" as the basis for "excellent business relations".

Her words gave a strong hint that Luxembourg - where the EU Parliament has an outpost - may be set to put differences aside and work with the UK for a post Brexit solution.

In front of the Duchess, Mrs Closener said: "The 'Luxembourg way of doing things' is characterised by pragmatism, an ability to adapt, as well as a tremendous talent to build its partnerships with respect.

Kate in Luxembourg. (Dominic Lipinski/PA )
Dominic Lipinski/PA

"There's a capacity to listen to others, understand their needs and find a solution.

"Luxembourg shares the British pragmatism and the commitment to constant improvement.

"These common values serve as a longstanding basis for the strong political ties and the excellent business relations between the UK and the Grand Duchy.

"Those values are at the core of the ties built by many previous Governments, and we shall continue to respect those values as our relationship evolves."

The Duchess of Cambridge visit to Luxembourg - In pictures

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Kate later took in the spectacular sights of Luxembourg's capital today, gazing out over a sheer 100ft drop from "Europe's most beautiful balcony".

She walked along the Corniche, a pedestrian promenade that follows the course of Luxembourg City's 17th century ramparts above the lower part of the city in a river canyon below.

The Duchess of Cambridge went there after touring Luxembourg's City Museum and at the end of her walk told a group of British and Japanese tourists that she has enjoyed her visit to the capital.

"It's been fantastic," she said. "Very interesting. I'd like to come back with my husband."

The Duchess spent 20 minutes taking in the scenery after a half-hour tour of the museum, which tells Luxembourg's 1,000-year-old history.

She was shown a new exhibition that focuses on the dramatic changes that the 1867 Treaty of London brought to the city.

By guaranteeing Luxembourg's neutrality and independence, it led to the dismantling of the old fortifications and created a new city with boulevards.

Accompanied by Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie, the heir to the Luxembourg throne and his wife, Kate walked the few dozen yards from the Grand Ducal Palace to the museum with Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and his husband Gauthier Destenay.

Mr Bettel, 44, is only the third openly gay prime minister in the world.

He and Mr Destenay, an architect from Belgium, were in a civil partnership since 2010 and were married in May 2015, five months after same-sex marriages were legalised in Luxembourg.

The group posed for a picture outside the museum. Inside, the official party was welcomed by the city's Mayor Lydie Polfer and toured the exhibits including a 3D map of the city in 1867.

The three royals and the prime minister posed for an official picture with representatives from countries that signed the Treaty of London.

They included Belgium's transport minister Francois Bellot, Hungary's culture minister Istvan Ijgyarto, and the ambassadors of Austria, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.

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