The invention provides a process for the preparation of an alkylene glycol from an alkene comprising steps of: (a) supplying a gas composition comprising alkylene oxide, alkene, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour to the bottom of an alkylene oxide absorber, said absorber comprising a column of vertically stacked trays, wherein each of the vertically stacked trays comprises a perforated gas-liquid contacting member or members, a liquid inlet area, an outlet weir extending vertically above the surface of the tray at the opposite end of the tray from the liquid inlet area and a downcomer element which, in cooperation with the inner surface of wall of the column, forms a downcomer for the passage of liquid downwardly to the liquid inlet region of the vertically adjacent tray directly below, wherein the outlet weir on each tray is at least 200mm and at most 1500mm in height and allowing the gas composition to pass upwards through the column; (b) supplying lean absorbent to the top of the alkylene oxide absorber and allowing the lean absorbent to pass downwards through the column; and (c) intimately contacting the gas composition with lean absorbent on the trays in the alkylene oxide absorber in the presence of one or more catalysts that promote carboxylation and hydrolysis; and (d) withdrawing fat absorbent from the alkylene oxide absorber.