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Royal News

Why Queen Letizia had to take a seat at an important moment in State Visit to the Netherlands

The Queen of Spain had to sit down for the traditional greetings at the State Banquet held in her honour as she visited the Netherlands with her husband, King Felipe.

Queen Letizia was seated for the line up which saw the royal guests and their hosts meet dozens of guests also attending the banquet.

Letizia, 51, remained sitting down to shake hands and speak to those arriving at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. She was also seated for the official portrait taken at the State Banquet.

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The queen was diagnosed with a painful foot condition several months ago. It’s understood she is being treated for Morton’s neuroma which affects the ball of the foot and which makes standing and walking extremely uncomfortable.

The State Banquet, as is traditional, came at the end of the first day of the State Visit.

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King Felipe and Queen Letizia had already enjoyed an official welcome filled with pageantry at Dam Square in Amsterdam. The couple also laid a wreath and held a minute’s silence at the National Monument in the Dutch capital, in tribute to all those who have died for their country.

The State Banquet was an important moment, too, for a future queen. Princess Catharina-Amalia, heir to the Dutch throne, attended a banquet for the first time.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.