King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands just set up the biggest watch party of the World Cup so far as he invited the Emperor of Japan over to catch a match.
The two rulers were snapped looking relaxed as the Dutch monarch hosted a football celebration at one of his castles.
Emperor Naruhito of Japan is in the Netherlands ahead of a State Visit which gets under way in a few days’ time.
Ahead of the pomp and ceremony, he swapped imperial regalia for a Japan scarf as he settled down to watch a crunch match with his long time pal, King Willem-Alexander.
The two posed for a selfie as the match got under way with the Dutch king doing the photo honours, holding the phone for the snap and giving a thumbs up while he was at it.
Emperor Naruhito had the blue and red scarf of Japan around his shoulders while King Willem-Alexader was draped in the bright orange of the Dutch national team.
The Netherlands were playing Japan in the opening stages of the competition which is being held in the US, Canada and Mexico and which includes more teams than ever before.
It was honours even for the royals with Japan and the Netherlands drawing 2-2 after a last minute equaliser from Daichi Kamada ensured the Emperor still had bragging rights over the King. Japan and the Netherlands are in one of the toughest groups in the World Cup and there was no doubt plenty to talk about following the match.
King Willem-Alexander is known to be a big football fan and is expected to travel to the World Cup to see another big game. He and Queen Maxima are reported to be attending the match against Sweden which takes place on June 20, just after the State Visit comes to a close.
King Felipe of Spain is also already confirmed as a World Cup spectator. He will be at a match in Guadalajara, Mexico when Spain take on Uruguay, another big game in the tournament.
