The smiling State Visit

It was all smiles as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands arrived in Denmark for a three day state visit. There were hugs, there were kisses and even the curtsies seemed relaxed. This is a very happy official tour.

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands greets Queen Margrethe of Denmark as he arrives in Copenhagen at the start of a three day State Visit

The day started with a picture posted on the official Twitter account of the Dutch Royal Household showing King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima just moments before they departed by plane for Copenhagen.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands ahead of their departure for Copenhagen on a three day State Visit to Denmark

(photo @koninklijkhuis Twitter)

A few hours later and the royal couple were walking from their plane for an official, and very warm, welcome. Queen Margrethe, the Prince Consort, the Crown Prince and Princess and Prince Joachim and Princess Marie all lined up on the tarmac to say hello to their friends and fellow royals. And there was a particularly fond hello from the Danish queen who, four decades ago, stood as godmother to baby Willem-Alexander and now welcomed him to her own kingdom as a fellow monarch.

Godmother and godson inspect the troops at the official welcome in Copenhagen

As protocol demands, the Crown Princess dropped deep curtsies to the king and queen but even this regal moment had an air of informality and friendliness about it.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark curtsies to King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands

Following the welcome ceremony, the Danish queen and her consort accompanied their royal guests to the Fredensborg Palace for a meeting. After that, the Dutch royals had a meeting with the Danish Prime Minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt.

A meeting of friends, a meeting of monarchs - Queen Margrethe, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Prince Henrik at the Fredensborg Palace 

The afternoon saw the Dutch king and queen and the Danish Crown Prince and Princess head to Aalborg University for a conference about societal development in their two countries.

Mary and Maxima at Aalborg University

The first day was set to conclude with a gala dinner at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen where more smiles and friendly speeches are on the menu. There are another two days of this tour left but one thing is sure - they will be happy ones.