It’s a most exciting time when reigning monarchs come together, and apart from a coronation or royal wedding, a state visit is often one of the rare occasions we get to see the extravagant displays of the monarchy.
According to the official Danish royal website, a state visit is carried out by members of a royal family. It aims to establish and strengthen the social and commercial relationships between the two countries.
While it may be business as usual for them, we can’t help but look on in awe at the elegance and poise that these working royals show while performing their official duties.
Continue reading to keep up to date with the latest state visits between royals.
The Danish royals visit Norway, May 2024
On the second stop of their first tour since their ascension to the throne, King Frederik and Queen Mary arrived in Oslo, Norway.
The royals were greeted by Queen Sonja and King Harald V of Norway upon their arrival, as they disembarked the Dannebrog.
Other senior royals to welcome the Danish couple were Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.
On day one Queen Mary and Frederik’s schedule saw them attending the Bird Room of the Royal Palace where they exchanged gifts and posed for an official portrait to commemorate the state visit.
Following this, an official welcome ceremony was held to commence their visit. The pair then attended a ceremony at the National Monument, met with the President of the Norwegian Parliament Masud Gharahkhani, then ended at Oslo Science City where thet were suited up and shown the Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory.
That evening, Their Majesties were joined by other senior Norwegian royals and dignitaries at a gala dinner. The event was made extra special with May 14 marking the 20th anniversary of their marriage.
Queen Mary dazzled in a lavender evening dress that was a reworked Birgit Hallstein Couture gown she first wore in 2015 to the wedding of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden.
The next day, the pair were joined by Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit as they travelled by subway to walk the Ulsrudvann Lake.
The foursome then met with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and other parliamentarians at Akershus Fortress and finished the afternoon with a walk along the harbour in Oslo as they observed the Norwegian-Danish solutions for future urban spaces, as well as sustainable and community architecture.
The Danish royals visit Sweden, May 2024
King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark embarked on their first royal state visit since their ascension to the throne
The reigning couple arrived in Sweden on May 6 and were greeted by Their Majesties, Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden as they disembarked the royal Barge Vasaorden.
Sweden marks the couple’s first state visit in a larger tour of the Northern region. Queen Mary and King Frederik will stop in Norway from May 14-15, followed by the Faroe Islands and Greenland in June and July.
During their visit, Queen Mary and King Frederik met with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and other parliamentary officials. They also took some time to attend the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology, where they spoke with a group of astronauts including Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen.
To commemorate the historic occasion, a white-tie banquet was held at Stockholm Palace. The royals took the opportunity to bring out their most formal attire, along with their personal collections of dazzling royal jewels.
On their final day, King Frederik planted a young apple tree in front of the Nordic Museum, while Mary symbolically watered the sapling.
The Spanish royals visit The Netherlands, April 2024
Queen Letizia joined her husband King Felipe VI of Spain on a state visit to the Netherlands from April 16-18.
The royal pair were fondly greeted with an official welcoming ceremony by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. The foursome are known to share quite a close friendship, and spirits seemed to be high during their stay.
As usual for an official state visit, a banquet was held in Amsterdam at the Royal Palace on the first evening. While the event was held in honour of their guests, it marked another historical moment for the Dutch Royals as their eldest child, Princess Amalia, made her State Banquet debut.
The following day consisted of the Queens visiting mental health and community groups, and the Tuschinski Theater for the 10th anniversary of the Spanish Film Festival in Amsterdam. Meanwhile, the Kings attended a soccer match at the Johan Cruyff Foundation for children with disabilities.
The four reunited on the final day at the Straat Museum for street art and graffiti, for an official reception offered by the King and Queen of Spain to the Netherlands.
The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg visit Belgium, April 2024
In April of this year, the Grand Duchesse Maria Teresa and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg made a three-day state visit to Belgium from April 16-18.
The Grand Ducal couple were welcomed by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium at the Royal Palace before setting off on their rather full agenda.
Their schedule began at the Grand Place and City Hall where they waved from the balcony and mingled with the crowds.
Of course, the Belgian royals pulled out all the stops with a lavish gala at the Palace of Laeken on the first evening. Both the Grand Duchess and Queen dazzled in historical jewels and tiaras, and the Grand Duke and King in their official uniforms.
The four made official visits to political and community organisations as well as stopping in at the Palais du Prince Eveque, to sign the golden book.
Upon their departure, the Grand Duchesse and Grand Duke of Luxembourg farewelled the growing crowds at the Place Saint-Lambert.
