Queen Máxima Wows on German Tour

The King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands have begun a two-day working visit to the German states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. This visit, which is focused on industry, energy and trade, kicked off today in Lower Saxony at the Oldenburg University. Queen Máxima repeated a wonderful hat we have not seen in a long time, this giant black and white picture hat with squared crown and mushroom brim. I adore this hat because it is such a classic shape and colour scheme yet is oozing drama and presence. I think this is Máxima at her millinery best.

Queen Máxima, May 26, 2014 | Royal Hats

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Queen Máxima, May 26, 2014 | Royal Hats

Embed from Getty Images

This glorious piece of millinery has been hiding in Máxima’s closet for over eight years and I am so happy that she brought it out today. I also cannot wait to hear what you, dear readers, think of this hat!

Designer: unconfirmed. I strongly suspect it is Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: March 30, 20062002

Photos from Getty as indicated and Alexander Koener/Getty via Zimbio

 

Luxembourg Royals at Religious Celebration

The Luxembourg royal family took part in the closing procession of the Octave of Our Lady of Luxembourg yesterday, a religious celebration that occurs on the fifth Sunday after Easter. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa led her family in a vibrant pink hat with squared crown and diagonal upturned brim with a flat monochrome multi looped ribbon bow on the side. I particularly liked the shape of this hat’s brim on the Grand Duchess.

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, May 25, 2014 | Royal Hats

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, May 25, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown. My guess is Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

The Hereditary Grand Duchess wore an ecru looped bow fascinator wrapped in a swath of coordinating net veil. It is the first time we have seen Princess Stéphanie in a fascinator and I thought this delicate headpiece suited both her fine features and her bouclé coat quite nicely. 

Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie , May 25, 2014 | Royal Hats

Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie , May 25, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown. 
Previously Worn: I believe this headpiece is new

Princess Claire wore a large black straw hat with a gently upturned brim flowing in gentle waves. This hat is looks a little too floppy for my taste, although it works very well with Claire’s cascading ponytail and bright smile.

Princess Claire , May 25, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

Princess Alexandra repeated her blush pink giant rosette fascinator. While I like the placement of this headpiece much better than the last time we saw her wear it, it still falls flat for me.

Princess Alexandra, May 25, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: September 8, 2012

My favourite hat yesterday was worn by Princess Tessy who sported a large dove grey saucer hat trimmed in navy piping and a large grey and navy looped bow. It was the perfect compliment to her lovely navy dress and, worn at this jaunty angle, set her off so beautifully. It also looks like she has taken some hairstyling pointers from the Duchess of Cambridge that worked wonderfully with this hat. So chic!

Princess Tessy, May 25, 2014 | Royal Hats

Princess Tessy, May 25, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

All in all, it was a lovely day of royal hats in Luxembourg for this important event. Which one was your favourite?

** For additional coverage of this event, please refer to this article on Luxarazzi and this explanation of the Octave of Our Lady of Luxembourg.

Luxembourg Royal Family, May 25, 2014 | Royal Hats

Photos from Manuel Dias; and Pierre Matge, Luxpress / Jean-Claude Ernst, and Isabella Finzi via Tageblatt

Dutch Royals at Four Freedom Awards

Members of the Dutch Royal Family joined Prime Minister Mark Rutte for the Four Freedom Awards ceremony in Middelburg today. Queen Máxima unveiled a spectacular new picture hat for this event in a shade of vivid burgundy. The large scale of this hat along with its gently curved mushroom brim make it an absolute show stopper and its pairing with this fabulous orange and burgundy dress is classic Máxima. I thought she looked amazing.

Queen Máxima, May 24, 2014 | Royal Hats

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: This is a new hat

Princess Beatrix also looked beautiful in a black straw hat with upturned brim, layered crown, and spray of fuchsia flowers on the side. The gossamer straw gives this hat such a light feeling and I love how the uplifting movement of the hat compliments the tailored cowl neck of Princess Beatrix’s dress. So very, very pretty.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: unconfirmed. I suspect it was made by Suzanne Moulijn
Previously Worn: November 30, 2013

Not to be outdone on this day of stellar Dutch royal hats, Princess Margriet  wore a cornflower blue hat with a snugly fitting crown and a light straw halo brim. It’s an unusual hat shape that works very well with Margriet’s short hairstyle and served as a chic accessory for her blue and white suit.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this is a new hat

What’s better than an event with fabulous royal hats to honor individuals who are promoting freedom in our world?! I’m curious, dear readers, to hear your thoughts on this trio of Dutch royal hats.

Queen Máxima Celebrates Dutch Development Organization

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands attended a lunch in honor of the 100th anniversary of Dutch international development organization, Cordaid, yesterday in Amsterdam. For this event, she repeated her natural straw hat with dramatically upturned, diagonal brim. We have seen this hat paired with a number of different dresses but this for this event, Máxima wore it with trousers. The monochrome nature of this ensemble is rather chic but since I am a traditionalist at heart, I would love to swap the trousers for a coordinating skirt. I love this hat but there is something that just strikes me odd about a picture hat and trousers. What do you think?

Queen Máxima , May 23, 2014 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats Queen Máxima , May 23, 2014 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats

Queen Máxima , May 23, 2014 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats Queen Máxima , May 23, 2014 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: May 30, 2013; January 24, 2013January 21, 2013; July 2, 2011

Photos from Patrick van KatwijkPatrick van KatwijkPatrick van Katwijk, and Patrick van Katwijk via Corbis