It was hugs all round and a few curtsies too when the Netherlands ' King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima arrived in Denmark this morning . Waiting at Copenhagen 's Kastrup Airport was the Scandinavian country 's 74-year-old monarch , Queen Margrethe , her husband Prince Henrik , 80 and their son Crown Prince Frederik , 46 . But Maxima , glamorous in a grey coat by Dutch designer Claes Iversen , had serious competition in the style stakes from Australian-born Crown Princess Mary , 43 , who was elegant in a nude coat and purple pillbox hat . Scroll down for video . Sweeping a curtsey : Crown Princess Mary of Denmark curtsies to Queen Maxima at Kastrup Airport . Royal welcome : A beaming King Willem-Alexander steps off the plane to be greeted by Queen Margrethe . Like the 43-year-old Dutch Queen , mother-of-four Mary chose Louboutins for the occasion and even managed to sweep a low curtsey , despite the teetering height of the heels . Also on hand to welcome the Dutch royals at Kastrup Airport 's private royal terminal were other members of the Danish Royal Family , among them Frederik 's younger brother Joachim . 45-year-old Joachim 's French wife Princess Marie was also there and wore an ensemble that echoed her sister-in-law 's . Queen Margrethe , who along with Queen Elizabeth II , is one of the world 's only Queens Regnant , then led the way out of the airport , escorted by King Willem-Alexander . The Dutch royals are at the start of a three-day state visit to Denmark , aimed at strengthening links between the two countries . Unsurprisingly , the programme is a busy one , with Maxima and Willem-Alexander set to criss-cross the country over the next couple of days . Hand-in-hand : Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary were at Kastrup to greet the Dutch royals . Poised : The Crown Prince couple appeared ready for action as the Dutch plane touched down . Welcome : The Danish royals gather on the red carpet to welcome their Dutch counterparts . Red carpet treatment : Mary curtsies to King Willem-Alexander while Prince Joachim ( right ) waits in line . Today includes a lunch with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt , a glamorous blonde who is married to Stephen Kinnock , son of British politician Neil . Afterwards , the royal couple will travel north to Aalborg in North Jutland where they will attend a conference at the city 's university before flying back to Copenhagen for a reception at the Christiansborg Palace . Tomorrow will see them visit the carbon-neutral Samsø island , accompanied by Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Mary , to visit a special type of Danish boarding school called an efterskole . Most Danish teenagers spend at least a year at the state boarding schools , where they are encouraged to focus on specific interests such as music . The efterskole on Samsø focuses on aquatic sports , diving , aviation and golf , with pupils due to give the royal party , among them sport-mad Frederik , a tour of the school . Warm embrace : Mary shares a hug with the Netherlands ' popular Queen Maxima . State visit : Maxima and Willem-Alexander are at the start of the three-day state visit to Denmark . On their way : Queen Margrethe prepares to show King Willem-Alexander his Danish honour guard . Inspecting the troops : The Dutch royals inspected their Danish honour guard before leaving the airport . Frederik and Mary have suffered a bumpy few months , thanks to a film about the Crown Prince 's playboy past that is set to be screened later this year . A second programme , this time being made for Australia 's Channel Ten , could also cause some discomfort , thanks to claims that Mary had had second thoughts in the run-up to her 2004 wedding . By contrast , Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander have enjoyed a smooth ride of late , with Maxima in particular becoming increasingly popular . One of the most glamorous royals in Europe , the Argentina-born mother-of-three has proved a hit with her Dutch subjects , thanks in no small part to her charity work . She will have plenty of opportunity to do more of that during this week 's state visit , with a trip to Bispebjerg Hospital also on their itinerary . Arrival : The Dutch royal couple were whisked off to Fredensborg Palace for a private meeting . All smiles : 43-year-old Queen Maxima appeared to be on cheerful form as the visit began . Joking around : King Willem-Alexander traded quips with the Danish royals on the steps of Fredensborg . Official visit : The Dutch and Danish royal couples pose for an official photo . Meeting : The Dutch royals also enjoyed a meeting with Denmark 's Prime Minister , Helle Thorning-Schmidt . Glamorous : Ms Thorning-Schmidt , who is married to Stephen Kinnock , enjoys a chat with the Dutch royals .
Dutch King Elizabeth II and Queen Maxima are in Denmark . Were greeted by Danish Royal Family , including Queen Margrethe . With Willem-Alexander , Margrethe is one of only two reigning queens . Other Danish royals , including Crown Princess Mary , were also there .