After two intense days during which the Spanish sovereigns visited the Netherlands alongside the Dutch sovereigns, it was time to say goodbye at the end of the day, this April 18 in Amsterdam. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia organized an artistic reception at the STRAAT museum to thank their hosts for their hospitality. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were accompanied by their eldest daughter, the Princess of Orange, who was on her first state visit.
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A flawless performance for the first state visit attended by Princess Amalia
The state visit of King Felipe VI of Spain lasted only two days but it was intense. The busy program of cultural, sporting and economic visits took place on April 18 at the end of the day. Before returning to Spain with his wife, Queen Letizia, the Spanish head of state also wanted to organize an event to thank his hosts for their welcome. The “counter-performance” is an event traditionally organized on the second day of a state visit by the guest head of state in order to thank the host head of state.
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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were guests of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at the STRAAT Museum in Amsterdam. This museum is dedicated to street art and graffiti. This state visit was also special for the Dutch royal family since Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, was invited to take part in the state banquet. The 20-year-old heir to the throne has never before made an appearance on a state visit.
Princess Amalia was also invited to the reception at the STRAAT museum. Princess Amalia performed a perfect curtsy when she met the King of Spain at the museum, a tradition rarely used at the Dutch Court. The Princess of Orange truly performed flawlessly for her first state visit. Princess Margriet, aunt of King Willem-Alexander, also made an appearance at the museum reception.
Read also: King Felipe and King Willem-Alexander play football during a visit to the Cruyff Foundation
An urban artistic reception for the warm farewell of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima
Queen Letizia paid tribute to her hosts by wearing an impressive draped dress by Dutch fashion brand Benchellal. Queen Máxima also wore a Dutch dress by her favorite designer, Jan Taminiau.
Read also: Second day of the state visit of Spanish sovereigns to the Netherlands
During the reception, the two royal couples opened an exhibition of ten Spanish and Dutch mural artists. The exhibition can be visited until June 2. After the reception, the Dutch royal couple bid farewell to the King and Queen of Spain. The farewells were as warm as the moments experienced during these two days of state visit.
King Willem-Alexander notably took advantage of the toast pronounced at the state banquet the day before to thank the help provided by the Spanish sovereigns to their eldest daughter. For a year, Princess Amalia lived in secret in Madrid to escape threats in her country, while at the same time she studied at the University of Amsterdam. The Spanish sovereigns and local authorities allowed this delicate stay of the heir to the Dutch throne to take place with the greatest discretion. Princess Amalia therefore wanted to be present during this state visit to express her gratitude. Communication between the two families is also facilitated by the use of Spanish, the mother tongue of Queen Máxima, who is of Argentinian origin.
Nicolas Fontaine
Editor-in-chief
Nicolas Fontaine has been a designer-editor and author for numerous Belgian and French brands and media. A specialist in royal family news, Nicolas founded the site Histoires royales of which he is the editor-in-chief. [email protected]
