The King and Queen of Spain, Felipe and Queen Letizia, landed in the Netherlands on Tuesday, April 16, for their first state visit in 2024.
This trip, which will last until April 18, has sparked comments about the tense relationship between Queen Letizia and Máxima, Queen of the Netherlands.
The parents of Princesses Leonor and Sofia will meet with the Dutch monarchs, Willem-Alexander and Maxima, and will have the honor of hosting Princess Amalia, heir to the throne, at a state dinner for the first time.
The King and Queen left Madrid airport on Tuesday with a full schedule of engagements for the next two days.
The visit has generated great expectations, especially for the figures of Queen Letizia and Queen Máxima, both known for their sophistication and elegance.
Despite their common origin and language, the true nature of their friendship is the subject of speculation.
Relationship between Queen Letizia and Queen Maxima
A meeting looms that promises to be a duel of queens in Holland.
Although the two share similarities, monarchy experts suggest that the friendship between them is not as deep as one might expect.
Queen Letizia, known for her estrangement from her husband’s sisters, Infantas Elena and Cristina, also seems to maintain a reserved relationship with Queen Máxima.
This attitude may be influenced by the previous friendship between Máxima and the Infanta Cristina.
According to the journalist Pilar Eyre, the reality is that Queen Letizia does not have a special liking for Máxima because of the good friendship that existed between the Dutch monarch and the Infanta Cristina.
The Spanish royal family accumulates one controversy after another, and according to reports in the Spanish press, Queen Letizia finds it difficult to maintain a closer relationship with them without exposing the monarchy to public scrutiny.
They explain that Queen Letizia sees them when there is no other choice and stays away from them whenever she can.
Something that seems to be doing exactly the same with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, who was close to the Infanta Cristina during a period of her life.
A reason more than enough that the Spanish Queen has apparently decided to stay away from her.
Despite these challenges in their family and political relations, Letizia and Felipe’s visit to the Netherlands is expected to be marked by important gestures of affection and respect for Máxima, Willem-Alexander and Princess Amalia.
During the visit, King Felipe will present the sash of the Order of Charles III to the Dutch monarchs, and Princess Amalia will receive the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, her first foreign award.
These honors reflected the mutual esteem between the royal houses of Orange-Nassau and Bourbon.