Chinese President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan were greeted at Schiphol Airport this morning by King Willem Alexander and Queen Máxima. For this historic event (the first state visit by a Chinese president to the Netherlands), Queen Máxima wore a new calot made of pleated and ruched black crepe. I thought this hat worked well with her voluminous black crepe blouse, although the effect was diminished with the addition of her bland brown coat. And, it is rather unfortunate how from the side view, this hat mimicked the Chinese first lady’s bouffant hairstyle (unintentionally, I imagine).
Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new
Photos from Patrick van Katwijk via Dutch Photo Press; and Michel Porro and Pool via Getty Images
Royal Hats 
I liked the hat. The problem was the way she wore her hair. It would have looked so much better if it had been put up.
For the life of me I can’t categorise this as a hat. Not in form or effect.
It’s actually the form of a classic calot (Juliet cap).
Sorry HatQueen. I was being sarcastic and now I’ll be blunt. It looks like a none too artfully scrunched up piece of black fabric plonked on an ill groomed royal head to me. This beautiful young Queen can do much better and so can her milliner.
The words of Kew Gardens is very strong. I agree that this is not such an attractive hat. It is interesting that the royal hat voted best in 2013 was also made by Fabienne Delvigne. The response to her hats seems to be extreme.
The hat is not the sole criminal here. Granted, the hat is a mess and there is no reason whatsoever for that fizzled windblown hair. The hat, however, could have been forgiven had it been paired with one of her dresses or suits below. It is the pairing of this hat with the party skirt, the clown blouse and the hobo coat that is absolutely unforgiveable. It is not the milliner who can do better. It is the Queen herself who can and MUST do better.
https://royalhats.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/2013-07-01-slavery-memorial-3.jpg?w=375&h=500
https://royalhats.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/2013-05-29-college-6.jpg?w=359&h=500
Marcus, this hat would have been vastly improved if paired with any of these outfits. I think it would be particularly stunning with Queen Maxima’s red dress.
“Frumpy” is the word of the day. Máxima appears to have such an engaging personality, but she needs a hair stylist. One really can’t concentrate on the hat with all that wild hair — other than to think that the hat too is frumpy.
Yes that hair is unforgiveable but the hat is fabulous. LOVE it with that fabulous blouse.
Love the scrunchy hat, but hair needs a pick me up…
My goodness. She usually looks so good but not this time. I think the full skirt and full blouse are not very flattering for her. When she wears a tailored dress or suit with one of her bigger hats, she is a knock-out!
What an astonishing range of colour; in some photos, the hat and blouse look absolutely definitely navy, and in others definitely black. I do like the hat, but the lose hair is really not great with it.
Is that the same skirt Max wore for the enthronement? If so, it is styled HIDEOUSLY.
I think a structured hat would have looked better with the loose hair, floppy bow, full skirt and that (awful) coat. There was too much going on.
Somehow with everything going on she doesn’t look busy (too much for the eye) but frumpy and messy. That’s too bad.
Frumpy and messy – agreed!
I like this hat from the front but not from the side. The scrunchy black fabric doesn’t look right.