The first pictures from the state banquet in the Netherlands are here – and they are even more magnificent than many royal fans probably imagined. Although King Felipe VI. (56) and Queen Letizia of Spain (51) are visiting the Netherlands on April 17th and 18th, but Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia (20) steals the show: this is the first time the Dutch heir to the throne has taken part in one State banquet. At least in the first shots, however, she is already confidently towering over all the other royals.
In the photos, the two royal guests from Spain positioned themselves on two chairs in the bottom left corner, with the Dutch King Willem-Alexander (56) and his wife Queen Máxima (52) sitting next to them. Their daughter Catharina-Amalia is flanked in the back row by Princess Margriet of Orange-Nassau (81) and the former Queen of the Netherlands, Beatrix (86). What is striking is that Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia is not only in the center of the picture, but also stands higher than all the other royals.
It was already clear that the nobility present would dress up for the event. The glamorous evening traditionally calls for “black tie” outfits for men and evening dresses for women. It is also planned that both monarchs, Willem-Alexander and Felipe, will give a speech.
The Dutch royal family announced in February that King Felipe VI. and his wife Letizia have been invited to Amsterdam for a state visit from April 17th to 18th and a state banquet will take place at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
Upon their arrival, the Spanish royal couple were welcomed with a ceremony on Dam Square. After a guard of honor march, the Royal Marine Band performed both the Spanish and Dutch national anthems.
