King and Queen of Belgium Welcome Dutch Counterparts for State Visit

Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium welcome their Dutch counterparts, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands on June 20, 2023. 

Queens of style ©Getty Images 

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima began their three-day visit to Belgium via the Royal Train, arriving at Brussels-Zuid station.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima arrive in Brussels via The Royal Train ©Dutch Royal House 

The purpose of their state visit is to strengthen the diplomatic ties between The Netherlands and Belgium, establishing excellent relations between the neighboring countries.  

Queen Maxima, King Willem-Alexander, King Philippe, and Queen Mathilde waved at the crowd on the balcony of the city hall. ©Belgian Royal Palace 

The visit is historically significant to both countries as Belgium was once part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands until 1831 when Belgium was established as an independent Kingdom.

Their Majesties visited the city hall im Brussels 

The Belgian royal couple accompanied the Dutch royals to the Grand Market of Brussels on the first day of the visit and greeted spectators from the balcony of the city hall.

Updated: State Banquet

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians hosted a state banquet at the Royal Palace in Laeken for the visiting Dutch royals.

King Philippe delivered a speech ©Belgian Royal Palace 

State Banquet at the reception hall of the Royal Palace of Laeken ©Belgian Royal Palace 

King Willem-Alexander and King Philippe ©Belgian Royal Palace 

Both King Philippe and King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands delivered a short speech emphasizing international understanding and cooperation between their respective countries.

Belgian and Dutch royal couples attend the State Banquet at the Royal Palace of Laeken ©BelgianRoyalPalace

Queen Mathilde and Queen Maxima attended the state banquet in style as they stood beside their respective husbands.

Queen Mathilde and Queen Maxima ©EPA

Two stylish Queens in Europe 

Queen Mathilde looked resplendent in a powder blue Prive gown from Giorgio Armani. She also wore a pair of suede pumps from Giorgio Armani.

Queen Mathilde and Quee Maxima©Getty Images 

The Belgian Queen completed her glamorous look with a diamond diadem called the Nine Provinces originally belonged to Queen Astrid, according to Tiara Mania. Queen Mathilde also wore Queen Fabiola's Wolfer Tiara as a necklace.

Queen Mathilde be-decked in diamond jewelry 

Queen Maxima wore a blush pink ruffled gown with short sleeves from Jantaminiau. She also wore a pair of metallic sandals from Aquazzura.

Queen Maxima wears the Stuart Tiara without the Stuart diamond ©Getty Images 

The stylish Dutch Queen completed her elegant look with Queen Wilhelmina's Stuart Tiara but without the Stuart diamond. She also wore the Stuart diamond necklace. 

Also attended the state banquet are Princess Astrid, Archduchess of Austria-Este, the younger sister of King Philippe, and her husband, Prince Lorenz, Archduke of Austria-Este.

©Belgian Royal Palace 

The Royal couples attend the concert ©Belgian Royal Palace 

On the following day as the Dutch visit continues, the royals attended a concert and other public activities.