King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of The Netherlands are on a 3-day State Visit to Luxembourg to strengthen political, economic, and diplomatic ties, from May 23rd to 25th. The Dutch Royal Family have close ties to the Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg, especially since the Grand Duchy used to be part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands until 1890.  

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In the morning, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were received by Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie at the airport before being welcomed by Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Theresa at a Welcome Ceremony outside the Grand Ducal Palace, followed by the laying of a wreath at the ‘Monument de la Solidarité Nationale‘, the national war memorial of Luxembourg.

In the afternoon, the King and Queen met the President of Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, before being received by the Mayor of Luxembourg at the City Hall, followed by a short tour of the City.

“Openheid naar anderen en trots op de eigen identiteit kunnen heel goed op ontspannen wijze samengaan, zo laat Luxemburg aan de wereld zien. Het is een van de vele aspecten die dit land zo intrigerend maken.” - WA #NLLUX #staatsbezoek https://t.co/NXLJS9ZVe0 pic.twitter.com/gcgNgv4E2h

— Koninklijk Huis (@koninklijkhuis) May 23, 2018

Tijd voor het staatsbanket! Koningin Máxima in een japon van Jan Taminiau @JANTAMINIAU en met de Stuart-tiara. Het juweel is van onschatbare waarde en al meer dan 40 jaar niet gedragen. #blauwbloed pic.twitter.com/nIGIDKkEFW

— Blauw Bloed (@BlauwBloedtv) May 23, 2018

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In the evening, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Theresa hosted a glittering State Banquet in honour of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. The Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess were also present. Both the King and Grand Duke gave speeches.

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King Willem-Alexander wore a dark suit with a orange tie and the pin of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau. Queen Máxima wore a Natan dress with a Fabienne Delvigne hat and the pin of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau. Grand Duke Henri wore a dark suit with a striped tie and the pin of the Dutch Order of the Netherlands Lion. Grand Duchess Maria Theresa wore a Yves Dooms coat, dress and hat and the pin of the Dutch Order of the Netherlands Lion.

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King Willem-Alexander wore White Tie with the Sash and Star of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau. Queen Máxima repeated a Jan Taminiau gown with the Stuart Tiara (worn for the first time since 1971, in a smaller setting without the Stuart Diamond), huge Diamond Earrings (two of the diamonds removed from the top of the tiara), the Diamond Bow Brooch from the Stuart Parure, Diamond Bracelets, and the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau. Grand Duke Henri wore White Tie with the Sash and Star of the Dutch Order of the Netherlands Lion. Grand Duchess Maria Theresa wore a repeated Elie Saab gown with the Belgian Scroll Tiara, Pearl and DiamondEarrings, and the Sash and Star of the Dutch Order of the Netherlands Lion. Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume wore White Tie with the Sash and Star of the Order of Orange-Nassau. Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie wore a repeated Elie Saab gown with the Chaumet Pearl and Diamond Choker Tiara, Sapphire and Diamond Necklace, Sapphire Earrings, and the Sash and Star of the Order of Orange-Nassau.