Exploring the Seating Arrangements of Royals at State Visits: Answers to Reader Questions

My inbox was full of questions last night. You can read the answers in this blog.

Reader question 1: where was Amalia?
The layout of the tables (setting) at the court is carefully considered. The most important guest is seated to the right of King Willem-Alexander. In this case: King Felipe.

Queen Máxima sits to the right of the most important guest. And the second most important guest is seated to the left of King Willem-Alexander. This was also the case during the Belgian state tour (2016).

Let us now proceed to Amalia. Last night, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Hanke Bruins Slot, sat to the left of Queen Letizia. This was followed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, José Manuel Albares. Since the state visit is organized by the two Foreign Ministries, it was the right choice. After the Spanish minister sat on Princess Amalia. So front row.

Reader question 2: why was Queen Letizia sitting in the aisle?
For those who don’t know what a pasade is: before a state visit begins, all guests can meet the king and queen. This is what you call a pasade. Since Queen Letizia has chronic pain in her foot, she always walks in flat shoes or small heels and she also tries to sit as much as possible. Pictured: the two royal couple with footballer Frenkie de Jong and his girlfriend.