On Sunday 27 July 2014, in Brussels, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Lady Cosgrove were welcomed to Belgium by the Chargé d'Affaires, Ms Nicola Gordon-Smith and Australian Embassy staff, to commence an official visit in recognition of the centenary of the start of World War 1.
On Saturday 26 July 2014, at Eindhoven Air Force Base, the Netherlands, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Lady Cosgrove led Australia’s representation at a repatriation ceremony of victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
Afterwards, at Brisbane International Airport, the Governor-General was represented at the arrival in Australia of the President of the Republic of Nauru, His Excellency the Honourable Baron Divavesi Waqa MP, by Commander Peter Tedman DSM OAM ADC RAN, Honorary Aide-de-Camp.
At Amsterdam Airport, Schiphol, the Netherlands, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, representing all Australians, laid a wreath at a makeshift memorial for the victims of the MH17 air disaster.
On Friday 25 July 2014, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) spoke with bereaved families affected by Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
Afterwards, at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove laid a floral tribute at the departure terminal in memory of victims of MH17.
Later, in Hilversum, the Governor-General, as guest of Australian Federal Police Chief Scientist, Dr Simon Walsh, met Australians involved in the MH17 Disaster Victim Identification process.
At The Hague in the Netherlands, the Governor-General met with His Excellency Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
On Thursday 24 July 2014, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) spoke with bereaved families affected by Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
Afterwards, in The Hague, the Governor-General received the Ambassador to the Netherlands, His Excellency Mr Neil Mules AO.
Later, at the Binnenhof, the Governor-General met with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, His Excellency Mr Mark Rutte.
The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, representing all Australians, join dignitaries including Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, His Excellency Mark Rutte, and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, to officially receive the first caskets of the victims of the MH17 air disaster, at a repatriation ceremony at Eindhoven Air Force Base in the Netherlands.
On Wednesday 23 July 2014, following the departure from Australia of the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), the Proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR.
Afterwards, at Eindhoven Air Force Base, The Netherlands, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove met with Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
At Parliament House, Canberra, the Governor-General joined the Prime Minister, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, members of the Diplomatic Corps, other dignitaries and members of the public for a ceremony to mark the signing of a Condolence Book for the victims of Flight MH17.
The Governor-General’s message reads: “With deepest sympathy to all those lost and to their loved ones. Peter Cosgrove, Governor-General.”
On Tuesday 22 July 2014, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.
Afterwards, the Governor-General received the General Secretary of Rhodes Trust Australia, Professor Graham Hutchinson AM and the Honorary Secretary of Rhodes Trust ACT and Australia-at-Large, Ms Karen Holt.
Later, at Parliament House, Canberra, the Governor-General attended a ceremony to sign the National Condolence Book in support and sympathy of those killed on flight MH 17.
