Felipe VI and Letizia will meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima next Wednesday to promote strategic EU autonomy and boost the green agenda. It is the first State visit of the Spanish royal couple in 2024.
The journey through the Netherlands will take them to the cities of Amsterdam and The Hague. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will be received by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima on Wednesday. This is the first State Visit to the Netherlands since Camilo Villarino took office as head of the Royal House, which heralds a new phase for the Spanish monarchy.
Strengthened cooperation in energy
The visit to the Netherlands comes at a time of close friendship between the two countries. Also, the relationship between the two countries is increasingly intensive at all levels: political, economic, commercial, civil and cultural. The emphasis is mainly on cooperation in the field of energy. The focus is on the use of green hydrogen to decarbonise Europe.
Promotion of trade relations
In addition to promoting trade relations, King Felipe VI will chair a business forum in which a hundred Spanish and Dutch companies will be represented. This forum will provide an opportunity for bilateral cooperation and exploration of new business opportunities.
Political meetings in The Hague
In The Hague, King Felipe VI will meet political leaders, including the President of the Senate, Jan Anthonie Bruijn (VVD), and the House of Representatives, Martin Bosma (PVV). Although the Dutch cabinet is outgoing, the King will have a working meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Rob Jetten. He also takes part in a discussion organised by the Real Instituto Elcano and the Clingendael Institute.
Historical ties
It has been 23 years since the last Spanish state visit to the Netherlands, despite historical ties between the two countries dating back four centuries. The Royal Family’s journey, including a meeting with the Spanish community there, is full of symbolism. Felipe VI and Letizia Ortiz made their debut as king and queen during an official (non-state) trip to the Netherlands in October 2014.
Agreements
Spain and the Netherlands represent the fourth and fifth largest economies respectively in the European Union, after Germany, France and Italy. Both countries are parliamentary monarchies. The heads of state – Felipe de Borbón and Willem-Alexander of Orange-Nassau, both 56 years old – belong to a new generation of monarchs. The queens come from bourgeois society rather than the aristocracy. Moreover, the future of both royal houses rests on women: Princess Leonor and Princess Amalia, aged 18 and 20 respectively. It is planned that the latter will make her debut as heir and future head of state of the Netherlands during the gala dinner that her parents offer to Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. This is an event of the highest institutional level and takes place on Wednesday evening.
