King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will make a state visit to Qatar from 9 to 11 December, their first state visit to the Middle East since Willem-Alexander became king. Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, invited them.

The royal couple will be accompanied by ministers and a state secretary. The visit is intended to strengthen ties between the Netherlands and Qatar. It will be the first Dutch state visit to the Middle East in fourteen years, following Queen Beatrix's visits to the United Arab Emirates and Oman in 2012.