Judges in The Hague have removed double portraits of king Willem-Alexander and queen Máxima from their courtrooms because the queen is not head of state.

The AD quotes a court spokesman as saying one group of judges based at the court are keen to ensure the continuation of the tradition that judgements are made ‘in the name of the head of state’, even though this is no longer included in the constitution.

The king is head of state but Máxima has been named queen as a courtesy title. The judges therefore were refusing to make ruling’s in the queen’s presence.

Pictures of queen Beatrix, now known as princess, were removed from official buildings following her abdication. The state information service supplied four portraits to replace them: two featuring the king alone and two featuring the royal couple.

The Hague court’s board chose a double portrait but this has now been taken down, the AD said.