King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima's first UK state visit: All the best photos

The Dutch royals have arrived on British soil! <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/king-willem-alexander><strong>King Willem-Alexander</strong></a> and <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/queen-maxima"><strong>Queen Máxima</strong></a> of the Netherlands were spoiled with a beautiful ceremonial welcome as they arrived for their first-ever state visit to the UK on Tuesday (Oct. 23). Kicking off the two-day stay, the couple was treated to an official greeting by <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/queen-elizabeth-ii"><strong>the Queen</strong></a>, <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/prince-charles"><strong>Prince Charles</strong></a> and the <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/duchess-of-cornwall"><strong>Duchess of Cornwall</strong></a> – and the biggest smile from Her Majesty! <p>The last time Dutch royalty participated in a state visit was back in 1982, when <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/queen-beatrix"><strong>Queen Beatrix</strong></a> and <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/prince-claus"><strong>Prince Claus</strong></a> stopped by. But this event has been well worth the wait! Traditional to a welcoming ceremony, the Dutch national anthem was played, followed by an inspection of the Guard of Honour by the Prince of Wales and King Willem-Alexander. Later, the royal quad took part in a state carriage procession along the Mall to Buckingham Palace before the tiaras came out for a glittering state dinner. <p><strong>Click through for all the best photos of the Dutch royals' state visit...</strong> <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images
The Queen waved goodbye at the official farewell to King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. <p>Photo: &copy; Christopher Furlong - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Another kiss for Her Majesty! Queen Máxima said a formal farewell to the Queen at Buckingham Palace as their two-day state visit drew to a close on Oct. 24. <p>Photo: &copy; Christopher Furlong - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Máxima and Willem-Alexander make a beautiful pair. <p>Photo: &copy; Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images
The two looked out over the water happily. <p>Photo: &copy; Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images
The Dutch queen and Prince Edward interacted with school children as they worked on the Ohbot, an educational robotics system. <p>Photo: &copy; Daniel Leal -Olivas - WPA Pool/Getty Images
The parents of three joined the Duke of Kent and Countess of Sussex joined forces to watch a demonstration of Dutch and British Navy cooperation at the Zr.Ms. Zeeland. <p>Photo: &copy; Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images
These two have nothing but looks of love for each other! <p>Photo: &copy; VICTORIA JONES/AFP/Getty Images
The two royal women stunned in their very different, but equally as elegant, outfits. Sophie went with navy blue, while the Dutch queen dazzled in magenta. <p>Photo: &copy; Frank Augstein - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Queen Maxima showed off her megawatt smile beside Prince Edward as they look at an ioLight digital telescope during the UK-Netherlands Innovation Showcase at Mansion House. <p>Photo: &copy; Daniel Leal -Olivas - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Sophie, Countess of Wessex joined Queen Máxima to speak to children at Pop Brixton. <p>Photo: &copy; Frank Augstein - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Queen Máxima had a secret for Sophie, Countess of Wessex! <p>Photo: &copy; Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Waves for the well-wishers! Máxima and Willem-Alexander waved to their admirers. <p>Photo: &copy; Frank Augstein - WPA Pool/Getty Images
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima climbed aboard the HMS Belfast to watch an on-the-water capability demonstration between the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the Royal Marines. <p>Photo: &copy; Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images
King Willem-Alexander must've said something funny! The Dutch royal couple were visiting with Prime Minister Theresa May at Downing Street 10. <p>Photo: &copy; Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images
The King and Queen of the Netherlands chatted with Prime Minister Theresa May. <p>Photo: &copy; Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images
The Queen welcomed King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima in high style on the first night of their visit with a state banquet attended by Prince Charles, Camilla and their good friends Prince William and Kate, as well as other royals and VIPs. The group posed for a photograph, with the Queen in the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, Camilla in the Greville tiara and Maxima in the breathtaking Stuart tiara. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
Queen Maxima wore a stunning black and teal ombre gown with a sheer cape and carried a small metallic clutch. She wore her hair in a chic updo and wore a number of brooches and a sash. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
Queen Maxima wore the Stuart tiara, which she donned earlier this year while on a state visit to Luxembourg. But the last time the piece was worn in the UK was 35 years ago on Queen Juliana. The Dutch royals had not been on another state visit to see Her Majesty until now. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
Kate dazzled in an ice-blue mermaid-style gown by Alexander McQueen, which featured a gathered bodice and cap sleeves. She topped it off with the Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara, the topper she's worn most often and a favourite of her late mother-in-law Princess Diana. She also wore the late royal's Collingwood Pearl earrings. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
In addition to her stunning tiara and earrings, Kate wore a necklace steeped in history. Queen Alexandra's Wedding Parure necklace was a gift from Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, ahead of their wedding in 1863. On the left side of her dress, she affixed the Royal Family Order for the second time ever (she first wore it last December to the Diplomatic Corps reception). It is a personal gift from the Queen to members of the family. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
The glitzy state banquet for 170 people took months to prepare, and the palace gave a glimpse of the menu today - including vegetable and meat pies, plus chocolate orange torte for dessert! The Queen was seated between Prince Charles and King Willem-Alexander, who had Camilla on his other side. On the other side of Charles was Queen Maxima. Prince William and Kate were seated further down the line with the Dutch royals' aides and Prime Minister Theresa May. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
In his speech, King Willem-Alexander spoke very highly of Her Majesty. “The world looks to you as a trusted beacon in the midst of upheaval,” he said. “Your ability to keep in touch with the times is striking. You even have an adventurous streak, as you showed six years ago at the opening of the [2012 London] Olympic Games. In front of millions of viewers you played the role of the most fearless Bond Girl ever – with great panache!” <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
The royals toasted the occasion! <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
The Queen arrived to Buckingham Palace in the State Carriage to greet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. <p>Photo: &copy; Matt Dunham - WPA Pool /Getty Images
A curtsy for the Queen! The 43-year-old royal, known for her sartorial savvy, stunned in a mauve skirt suit and matching headband fascinator, pairing the look with beige suede heels. <p>Photo: &copy; Matt Dunham - WPA Pool /Getty Images
The two queens shared a cheek kiss, too, as King Willem-Alexander looked on. Her Majesty looked lovely as ever in bright, royal purple! <p>Photo: &copy; CHRISTOPHER FURLONG/AFP/Getty Images
A big smile for King Willem-Alexander! Her Majesty greeted the Dutch king during a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade. <p>Photo: &copy; Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
A dapper Willem-Alexander got on the Queen's level for a kiss on the cheek as he arrived at Buckingham Palace. <p>Photo: &copy; Matt Dunham - WPA Pool /Getty Images
The Dutch king and Prince Charles inspected the Guard of Honour. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images
The Queen, Máxima and Camilla looked lovely as ever during the welcome ceremony. The Duchess of Cornwall looked beautiful in an all-black ensemble featuring white floral embroidery, while the two queens brought some colour. <p>Photo: &copy; CHRISTOPHER FURLONG/AFP/Getty Images
British Prime Minister Theresa May arrived with Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to greet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands during the Ceremonial Welcome. <p>Photo: &copy; Matt Dunham - WPA Pool / Getty Images
The Dutch royals visited with the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles while stopping by the Dutch ambassador's residence. Camilla curtsied to the Queen, who smiled down at her. <p>Photo: &copy; Tolga AKMEN - WPA Pool /Getty Images
The mother of three got a big kiss and a hug from the Prince of Wales. <p>Photo: &copy; TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images
The pair of couples looked dapper as ever, posing for a photo in front of the stunning and historic artwork lining the walls of the Dutch ambassador's residence. <p>Photo: &copy; Tolga Akmen - WPA Pool/Getty Images
King Willem-Alexander and Prince Charles were clearly in deep conversation while leaving the Dutch ambassador's residence! Their wives followed swiftly behind. <p>Photo: &copy; Tolga AKMEN - WPA Pool /Getty Images
The Duchess of Cornwall and Queen Máxima looked thick as thieves as they laughed while walking close together. <p>Photo: &copy; Tolga AKMEN - WPA Pool /Getty Images
The duo showed off their megawatt smiles while leaving the Dutch ambassador's residence by car. <p>Photo: &copy; Tolga AKMEN - WPA Pool /Getty Images
The monarchs and future king Prince Charles posed for a group photo before heading into the palace for lunch. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
The royals made their way through a Dutch-themed exhibition in the picture gallery. Earlier in the day, the Queen honoured King Willem-Alexander by appointing him a supernumerary Knight of the Garter. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
The Queen showed her visitors some Dutch items in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
Animated Queen Maxima was surely taken by the Queen's wicked sense of humour. The monarch and her husband are staying at Buckingham Palace during their two-day visit. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
On a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey, the Dutch royals laid a wreath alongside John Hall, Dean of Westminster. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
Queen Maxima signed the visitor's book at Westminster Abbey. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
In the sweeping Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster, King Willem-Alexander gave a speech to parliamentarians and John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander joined Prince Charles and Camilla at their home, Clarence House, for a spot of tea. <p>Photo: &copy; Getty Images 
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