Queen Letizia of Spain made headlines on Wednesday during the State visit of the Spanish monarchs to the Netherlands, their first visit of the year. Dressed in formal attire, Letizia Ortiz appeared at the meet-and-greet seated on a stool due to a condition in her left foot, specifically Morton’s neuroma, which is the thickening of tissue around the nerves. This ailment, which she has been suffering from for some time, adds to her metatarsalgia (inflammation in the ball of the foot), making it difficult for her to stand still for long periods of time. At a reception held at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, where the monarchs were staying, the Spanish queen managed to stand for the traditional ceremony alongside her counterpart and friend, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. Later, the Spanish royals braved heavy rain to pay tribute at the national monument for fallen soldiers during World War II.
The State banquet took place in the iconic Civil Hall of the Royal Palace, a space that has hosted heads of state from around the world since 1808, including Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2014 and the Belgian monarchs in 2016. The menu for the evening included dishes like shrimp and asparagus cocktail, tomato consommé with ox tail gnocchi, lamb with herbs and fried polenta, and a caramel tart with spicy cream and chocolate sauce. During the gala dinner, the Spanish monarchs were presented with the Order of the Lion, the highest order in the Dutch monarchy equivalent to the Spanish Order of the Golden Fleece. Among the guests were prominent figures like artist Lita Cabellut, football player Ronald Koeman, and entrepreneur Esther Alcocer Koplowitz.
Queen Letizia’s Morton’s neuroma forced her to participate in the meet-and-greet seated, creating a unique image at the State visit to the Netherlands. The Spanish and Dutch monarchs engaged in various activities during their visit, including visiting the Cruyff Foundation, which promotes social cohesion for children with disabilities through sports. The two heads of state also visited the Amsterdam port to see the facilities that will receive Spanish green hydrogen by 2030 through a second European corridor connecting Amsterdam with the port of Bilbao. The visit coincided with an extraordinary European Council meeting in Brussels where the 27 member states discussed Russia’s ongoing attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure in Ukraine.
In the morning welcome ceremony, attended by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the State visit began with a focus on Europe’s strategic autonomy. The Spanish and Dutch monarchs engaged with citizens and laid a wreath at the National Monument in Amsterdam. The visit highlighted the collaboration between the two countries in various fields, including energy and social projects. Despite Letizia’s foot condition, the royal couple participated in all scheduled activities, showcasing their commitment to bilateral relations and cooperation. The visit of the Spanish monarchs to the Netherlands emphasized the strong ties between the two countries and their shared commitment to social causes and sustainable development.
