Queen Máxima (51) of the Netherlands began a working visit to the United States on Tuesday - without King Willem-Alexander. The NOS broadcaster reported that the 55-year-old monarch decided not to fly on the advice of his doctors so as not to jeopardize his recovery from pneumonia.

The royal family had already announced earlier this month that Willem-Alexander would not be taking part in the couple's planned September 6-9 work visit to California and Texas due to illness.

Queen Máxima landed in San Francisco with a Dutch government delegation. According to the ANP news agency, the working visit is largely about economic relations between the Netherlands and the two US states. The Queen also plans to meet with people who advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in San Francisco's The Castro neighborhood.

According to the ANP, a meeting with Texas Governor Greg Abbott is scheduled for Thursday. The Republican is known for his extremely conservative views, including on the issue of abortion.