The King and Queen of Spain, Felipe and Letizia, are finalizing the details of what promises to be an unforgettable state visit to the Netherlands.
As parents of Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, they will meet with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima during a visit that will officially begin on April 16, the Dutch royal family announced.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia in the Netherlands
The Spanish King and Queen’s state visit to the Netherlands is a sign of the close friendship and diplomatic relations between the two royal houses.
On April 17, the Dam Square in Amsterdam will be the setting for the welcome ceremony, where King Felipe and Queen Letizia will be joined by Willem-Alexander and Máxima.together with Willem-Alexander and Máxima.
The ceremony will include a review of the troops and a short parade, accompanied by the national anthems and official introductions between the delegations of both countries.
In private, the Dutch King and Queen will host their Spanish guests for lunch at the Palace, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony in Dam Square by the King and Queen of Spain.
Later in the afternoon, while the Queens enjoy a moment of rest, King Felipe and King Willem-Alexander will visit the Cruyff Foundation and explore the green corridor between Amsterdam and Bilbao.
State dinner in the Netherlands
The gala dinner at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam will be the highlight of the trip, with Princess Amalia making her debut at an event of this magnitude.
Princess Beatrix and Princess Margaret will also attend the dinner.
The following day, the King and Queen will chair an economic forum in The Hague, while the Letizia and Maxima will visit LAB6 and attend the Spanish Film Festival in Amsterdam.
King Felipe will meet with parliamentary leaders and have lunch with Deputy Prime Minister Jetten, before concluding the visit with a reception at the STRAAT Museum in Amsterdam.
History of state visits
This visit to the Netherlands adds to the list of state visits made by the King and Queen since their accession to the throne, which includes France, Mexico, Portugal, Japan, the United Kingdom, Peru, Morocco, Argentina, South Korea, Cuba, Andorra, Sweden, Germany, Angola and Denmark.
Princess Amalia’s first State Dinner
Princess Amalia of the Netherlands is now preparing for a major milestone in her preparation for the crown: her first state dinner.
For this prestigious event, the future monarch will honor tradition by wearing an elegant long gown and one of the prestigious tiaras from the Dutch royal collection.
Among the crown jewels she could choose, the peacock tiara, whose design evokes the majesty of this bird and which Amalia has worn with grace on previous occasions, stands out.
Then there is the historic Mellerio ruby tiara, which has held a special place in her heart since she first wore it at the tender age of nine.
This event is a key moment not only for Amalia, but also for the King and Queen of Spain, Felipe and Letizia, as it marks their first official state visit of 2024.
Moreover, this visit has an additional symbolic value, as it coincides almost with the tenth anniversary of the reign of Felipe VI, recalling his first trip abroad as King and Queen to the Netherlands.