King Willem Alexander and Queen Máxima continued their Caribbean tour with a visit to the smallest municipality of the Netherlands, the small island of Saba. For this visit, Máxima repeated a unique pleated headpiece with looped bows in pale grey. From the side, it looks like some sort of sea creature has latched onto her head but from the front, it frames her face quite nicely. It’s creative and interesting, and it looks much better with her hair and outfit in this outing than it did the first time Máxima wore it. I’m just not sure I’m able to like it. What do you think?
Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: March 29, 2011
Photos from Dutch Photo Press and ANP via RD.nl
Royal Hats 
I find this hat at odds with the dress Maxima is wearing. The hat seems to be too structured for the very casual dress, of which neither shape or colour flatter Max IMHO.The hat I love. That it is set cheekily off-centre and the pretty sculptured leaves/petals are complimentary to the public personna of Max. Sometimes Max’s pairings confuse me.
Interesting how Maxima wears these day-glo yellow outfits while on foreign tour. She doesn’t wear yellow at home, does she? Also interesting how she has only worn the hats she wore yesterday and today on foreign tours- never at home.
I think the King and Queen both look absolutely wonderful. I really like Queen Maxima’s hat! This surprises me because I am normally a fan of the more traditional and conservative hats. HatQueen, I really enjoy stopping by to visit with you every day. This blog has really made me more open minded in my opinions. Usually when I make my mind up, that’s it! However, I now find myself liking hats that in the past I would have HATED! I think the King and Queen look better here than I have seen in weeks, and their style of dress is in keeping with the people who came to see them. I think you should always put your best foot forward which is what they did here. Thank you for all of the hard work you put into this blog. I appreciate it very much.
Thanks, Rodney. I have also noticed since starting to write this blog, my taste in hats has grown much more flexible (or fickle?!) as well. After seeing so many hats, I think it’s inevitable that we notice more of the millinery detail. I’m so glad you enjoy the blog. I really enjoy your comments!
Very science fiction looking! That’s probably why I like it.
Oh no, a big NO. This is suppose to be a fun place, not something like a business affair or tea or whatever. I do like her hair up, and her make-up is great, not that thing on her head!
Actually, yes, I think I do rather like it. But what intrigues me is looking at the photos of the other occasion. Unless one set of photos has been reversed, which doesn’t look or seem likely, then Maxima has changed this hat over to the other side for this outing compared with the other. It’s pretty rare to do that! Usually people feel more comfortable with something worn to one or other side of the head (if I wear a hat at a tilt, I always find myself tilting it the same way). And of course with an asymmetrical headpiece like this, the thing has to be able physically to be put on on either side. Any more examples of hats being worn in a quite different way that I just haven’t noticed?
Wow that first time her hair and jewels were ugly! Today, it’s much more refined and polished. I really like her look on the third picture, but you are right about the sea creature…
Sorry LouisaMay- after your comment I added two more photos! I believe it’s now the last photo you are referring to :>)
The following conversation is more heated than it needs to be. Everyone- let’s please cool things down.
Aye, aye, Ma’am! 😀
The hat is just too much for this destination – makes her look way over dressed for the Caribbean and also as the mate to the King. He is dressed much more casually then she is. This is a miss for me but mostly as I said, for the place they are in – She could have gone with a wedge sandal, skipped the hat and been fine in that same dress. That hat and shoes really put this over the top.
The Caribbeans also deserve good-looking and dressed-up King and Queen 😉
Isn’t she entitled to display her usual best? and this little girl, isn’t she at her best herself to meet the royal couple? It is not because they are visiting islands that they should dress and behave as if they were on vacation.
IMO, it is the King’s outfit that may be inappropriate (when he dropped the jacket), not the Queen’s.
Well said. I hope Beachgal is not implying that “natives” do not deserve their queen to look her queenly best. If that is what she is saying, she should be banned for such a racist comment.
You took *Beachgal’s comment completely wrong, a different type of hat would have been better. This curly cue thing was just wrong and it didn’t even look good. Nobody said that *the natives* don’t work or that work doesn’t happen. It’s hot, sunny, bright and probably humid so something less distracting would have been more appropriate. Sandals, yes a wedge would have great. Not all occasions call for formal wear or hats. And I think it’s not nice to want to call someone a racist and want them band. We are all entitled to our opinions as long as they are appropriately worded which Beachgal’s was. I don’t like all hats that royals wear, some are just ugly period and some are beautiful!
I don’t think this hat “looks wrong” as you say. I think it’s adorable!
Beachgal:
You really hit this one out of the park, I so agree with you on her hat, it is too formal for the occasion and the place she is visiting. Get some sandals on and lose the hats now!
Excuse me? Royals should not wear hats in the Caribbean because it is a “fun” place? Are you suggesting that no “work” happens in this country? It seems to me that Maxima has found a perfect balance here. She is dressed much more casually than she is when at home in the Netherlands but is still dressed up to be respectful to the many people who have come to see her. This is her first visit as Queen. She needs to look the part.
Well said, Marcus. I thought Maxima looked great today. The hat is the same colour as the bottom stripe of her dress. The yellow and gray combination looks informal and modern.
The King is wearing a suit. He is not dressed more casually than Maxima is!
This hat is light, airy, a little quirky and very fun. It seems a great hat for a visit to the Caribbean!