King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia Travel to The Netherlands on a State Visit

 

On April 17 to 18, 2024, Their Majesties King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain traveled to the Kingdom of The Netherlands for their official state visit at the invitation of the Dutch monarch, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander.

The Netherlands and Spain have maintained diplomatic relations since the 17th century, and have historical links even before that. The centuries-old ties connecting the Netherlands and Spain are political, economic, cultural, and social. 

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima officially welcomed the King and Queen of Spain in Dam Square in Amsterdam. The Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy played both countries’ national anthems during the welcome ceremony.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia then laid a wreath at the National Monument in Dam Square. Later in the afternoon, the two Kings visited the Cruyff Foundation. This Dutch-Spanish foundation aims to give children with disabilities and children in disadvantaged neighborhoods opportunities to play sports and games. 

The State banquet

In the evening the Dutch King and Queen hosted the traditional state banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, royals in attendance included the former Queen Beatrix, Princess Catharina-Amalia, the Princess of Orange, and Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.

Official photo taken before the state reception 

King Willem-Alexander and King Felipe VI each delivered a short speech promising cooperation and strengthening diplomatic ties between Spain and The Netherlands.

The royals dazzled in their court regalia as they donned sparkling jewels for the event. Queen Maxima wore the Stuart Tiara, which is her favorite go-to headpiece during state banquets. 

Queen Maxima

Queen Letizia 

The Princess of Orange, who attended the state banquet for the first time, wore the Peacock Ruby Tiara, former Queen Beatrix opted for the smallest headpiece in the Dutch royal collection, the Diamond Bandeau originally belonged to her grandmother, Queen Wilhelmina. 

Former Queen Beatrix

Princess Catharina-Amalia

Princess Margriet 

Her younger sister, Princess Margriet, wore her Diamond Laurel Wreath Tiara. It's surprising to know that her youngest son, Prince Constantijn, and his wife, Princess Laurentien, did not attend the state banquet.

Day 2 Engagement

On Thursday, King Willem-Alexander and King Felipe attended the business forum in The Hague for Spanish and Dutch businesses in the cybersecurity and fintech sectors. 

The event focused on the economy, innovation, and technology, and is intended to promote knowledge exchange and strengthen economic and business ties between the two countries. 

They also visited the  States General in The Hague and met the President of the Senate Jan Anthonie Bruijn and President of the House of Representatives Martin Bosma.

While their respective husbands were meeting business leaders and government representatives, Queen Máxima and Queen Letizia visited the LAB6, a center in Amsterdam Nieuw-West where cultural, sporting, and other activities are organized by and for young people aged 12 to 23. 

Queen Máxima and Queen Letizia toured the LAB6 and witnessed the activities offered to young people. Queen Máxima is the honorary chair of Stichting MIND Us, an organization that promotes mental health among young people.

The two Queen consorts then attended the tenth-anniversary celebrations of the Amsterdam Spanish Film Festival at the Royal Theatre Tuschinski cinema. energy and climate policy cooperation

The film festival aims to strengthen mutual cultural awareness by presenting Spanish and Latin American cinema in the Netherlands. Queen Maxima shared Spanish heritage with the Spanish royals as she is an Argentinian and Argentina was a former colony of Spain that retained Spanish as its official language.

King Felipe VI and King Willem-Alexander also attended meetings and discussions on Spanish-Dutch bilateral relations and European energy and climate policy cooperation. They also visited the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), the technical heart of the European Space Agency (ESA), of which the Netherlands and Spain are founding members. 

Queen Letizia, King Felipe VI, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, Princess Catharina-Amalia 

In the evening, King Felipe and Queen Letizia hosted a return hospitality reception for King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at STRAAT, Amsterdam’s museum for street art and graffiti. The Princess of Orange also attended the reception. They also spearheaded the opening of an exhibition of works by Spanish and Dutch muralists.