What is a state visit?

A state visit is a formal visit by the head of state of one country to the head of state of another country.

A state visit is the highest level of international visit, and its purpose is to confirm the good relationship between the countries concerned. The King is the only person who can make a state visit on behalf of the Netherlands. He is typically accompanied by his wife, Queen Máxima, and often by a business delegation. The King makes one or two state visits a year, and there are two incoming visits a year to the Netherlands by heads of state of friendly nations.