State Visit Sparklers: Israel to Spain

You don't need to get overly excited here. As the King and Queen of Spain hosted their first incoming State Visit since February, there were only ever really two options on the tiara table for the banquet that Felipe and Letizia hosted for the President of Israel and his wife at the Royal Palace in Madrid on the night of November 6th 2017. As Queen of Spain, Leti has only ever cracked out the Floral Tiara or La Buena and given the state of her country right now, bringing out all the bling was never an option. So settle back and enjoy the sparkle of Letizia's diamond flowers, part 9843.

The royal look of love

It's a landmark to love and Philippe and Mathilde looked more than loved up on their visit to this special place. On day one of their State Visit to India, the King and Queen of the Belgians spent some time at the Taj Mahal and couldn't have been more romantic if they tried. The couple only had eyes for each other despite being accompanied by a huge diplomatic delegation and quite a lot of media. Today was all about the royal look of love.

State Visit Style: Letizia in Portugal

Queen Letizia sparkles in green during her State Visit to Portugal this

(photo casareal Twitter)

Three days, six outfits, not one single tiara. Despite high hopes for sparkling dinner during the Spanish State Visit to Portugal, which ran from November 28th to November 30th 2016, Letizia kept it simple and left the diamonds behind. Not to worry, we still got a quintet of looks that are well worth remembering. Here is Letizia's State Visit style in Portugal.

Spanish State Visit to Portugal: Day Three

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain on day three of their State Visit to Portugal

(photo casareal Twitter)

King Felipe of Spain addressed the Portuguese Parliament on the final day of his three day State Visit to the country.  It is a rare honour and one that clearly meant a lot to Felipe as he followed in his father's footsteps at the end of this trip. There was also a visit to a hospital and a chance to meet some of the large Spanish community in Portugal on day three. Welcome to the final part of Felipe and Letizia's State Visit.

Belgian State Visit to the Netherlands: Day Three

Maxima and Mathilde catch the train on day three of the Belgian State Visit to the Netherlands

(photo MonarchieBe Twitter)

It was the day they caught the train. As the Belgian State Visit to the Netherlands came to an end, Queen Mathilde and Queen Maxima enjoyed a day trip to Utrecht as they prepared to say goodbye. Welcome to the last day of what has been a special State Visit.

Spanish State Visit to Portugal: Day Two

King Felipe and Queen Letizia on day two of their State Visit to Portugal

(photo casareal Twitter)

King Felipe and Queen Letizia split day two of their State Visit to Portugal between two of the country's most famous cities - Porto and Lisbon. From a morning of modern science to an afternoon and evening of State Visit tradition, this was a tour that had it all. Welcome to day two of Felipe and Letizia in Portugal.

State Dinner Sparklers: Dutch Diamonds...and rubies

Maxima rocks the rubies during the State Dinner for the King and Queen of the Belgians 

(photo koninklijkhuis Facebook)

We didn't get just one tiara from the Dutch royal jewellery box as the gala dinner for the Belgian State Visit got under way. We got four. That's right, count them. A quartet of cracking collections of gems. These diadems were mostly diamonds but amidst all that pure sparkle was the fire of some of the most famous royal rubies in Europe right now. Welcome to a stand out set of State Dinner Sparklers.

Belgian State Visit to the Netherlands, Day Two

Two kings, two queens, four friends on day two of the Belgian State Visit to the Netherlands

(photo MonarchieBe Twitter)

Day two of the Belgian State Visit to the Netherlands was all about a morning of Maxima and Mathilde, an afternoon of kings and an evening filled with royalty. Plus a lot of red hats. There was also art, business and community work - State Visit Day Two was a busy one.

State Dinner Sparklers, Mathilde in the Netherlands

Nine royals and the Nine Provinces Tiara - Mathilde sparkles at the State Dinner

(photo Belgian Monarchy Facebook)

Queen Mathilde brought one of the most impressive and historic tiaras in the Belgian collection out of the jewellery box for her State Visit to the Netherlands. The diadem chosen by the Queen of the Belgians played a significant role in the royal lives of two other consorts and its very name is evocative of the country they called home. On her Dutch State Visit, Mathilde let the Nine Provinces Tiarasparkle.

Spanish State Visit to Portugal, Day One

The King and Queen of Spain at the start of their State Visit to Portugal on November 28th 2016

(photo casa real Twitter)

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain began their three day State Visit to Portugal with a mix of modern and traditional. As well as the ceremonial welcome and a spectacular State Dinner, there was also a chance to celebrate one of Spain's most famous artists of the 20th century and to talk about causes close to their hearts. Welcome to the Spanish State Visit to Portugal, Day One.

Belgian State Visit to the Netherlands, Day One

The King and Queen of the Netherlands welcome the King and Queen of the Belgians to Amsterdam at the start of their State Visit on November 28th 2016

(photo MonarchieBe Twitter)

They are good friends and close acquaintances so it was no surprise to see smiles dominating as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands welcomed King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians to their country, The three day State Visit got under way with plenty of pomp and ceremony and lots of laughs.

Dutch State Visit to New Zealand comes to an end

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at the end of their State Visit to New Zealand

(photo koninklijkhuis Twitter)

They think it's all over - it really is now. The King and Queen of the Netherlands have completed their State Visit to New Zealand, bringing to an end almost two weeks of travel which has also taken them to Australia. The final part of their mammoth tour, on November 9th,  was spent in Auckland where they once more looked to the past links between their country and this part of the world while casting an eye to the future. Welcome to the end of the Dutch State Visit to New Zealand.

Dutch State Visit to New Zealand, Day Two

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima visited a nature reserve on day two of their State Visit to New Zealand

(photo koninklijkhuis Twitter)

Day two of the Dutch State Visit to New Zealand had a very serious message at its heart as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima visited Christchurch to see how the city continues to rebuild after the earthquake of 2011. But there was time for a smile on the way - from a cuddle with a Kiwi (bird) to meeting the Dutch community in Christchurch, there were moments that marked the State Visit with happiness. Here's Day Two of Willem-Alexander and Maxima in New Zealand.

State Visit New Zealand, Day One

The King and Queen of the Netherlands at the start of their State Visit to New Zealand

(photo koninklijkhuis Twitter)

One big hat, one big tiara - now that's what you call a start to a State Visit. On day one of their tour of New Zealand, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima have given us official welcomes, State Banquets and poignant moments of remembrance. Welcome to State Visit New Zealand, day one.

State Dinner Sparklers: Maxima in New Zealand

Queen Maxima in Queen Emma's Diamond Tiara during a State Banquet in New Zealand

(photo GovernorGeneralNZ Instagram)

State Visit Australia might have been limited to a rather lovely diamond necklace with a few heirloom emeralds thrown in for good measure, but Queen Maxima has given us the full royal sparkle with a tiara at the start of State Visit New Zealand. At a banquet held in honour of Maxima and her husband, King Willem-Alexander, on the first evening of their three days in New Zealand, this queen consort dazzled in diamonds bought for the last woman to hold the role she now has. Here's Queen Maxima in Queen Emma's Diamond Tiara.

Dutch State Visit to Australia: day five

The King and Queen of the Netherlands with the Governor of Queensland and his wife on the final day of the Dutch State Visit to Australia

(photo koninklijkhuis Twitter)

And then we came to the end, After five days, dozens of engagements, several huge necklaces and a selection of stand out hats (we're not just talking Maxima on this last one), the Dutch State Visit to Australia came to an end with a day in Brisbane. We got art, we got technology, we got business - it's what these trips are all about. Welcome to the finale of the Dutch State Visit to Australia.

Dutch State Visit to Australia: day four

Fancy seeing you here...the King and Queen of the Netherlands look loved up at the Sydney Opera House on day four of their State Visit to Australia

(photo NLinAustralia Twitter)

When State Visit Australia got under way, we didn't expect to be saying that the stand out belonged to King Willem-Alexander. But on day four of the Dutch royal tour of Australia, it was his headwear making all the headlines. The day in Sydney turned out to be all about the King of the Netherlands.

#ColombiaStateVisit: Day Three

Time to say goodbye - the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh wave farewell to the President and First Lady of Colombia as their State Visit began to draw to an end

The Colombian State Visit to the UK is drawing to an end and the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have said farewell to their guests, Juan Manuel Santos and his wife, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez, as they departed Buckingham Palace. The royal part of this visit has come to an end.

Dutch State Visit to Australia, Day Three

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands lay sunflowers at the MH17 memorial in Canberra on day three of their State Visit to Australia

(photo koninklijkhuis Twitter)

The Dutch State Visit to Australia has been focused on how the past influences the present and reflecting on past links and future ties.  But sometimes, remembering can be hard. On day three of their visit to Australia, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima paid tribute to those lost in war and in a modern tragedy. It was a day of poignancy.

#ColombiaStateVisit: day two

The Prince of Wales with the President of Colombia on day two of the State Visit to the UK

(photo Clarence House Twitter)

After the glamour of the start of the State Visit to the UK by the President of Colombia, day two was all about getting down to business. President Santos and his wife had a busy schedule of engagements with plenty of help from their royal hosts through the day. Welcome to day two of the #ColombiaStateVisit.