Queen Máxima supported the work of The Forgotten Child Foundation in Goirle yesterday, attending the foundation’s presentation of an award for extraordinary commitment to forgotten children. For this event, she repeated her pleated red fabric calot hat. On this hat’s last outing, Máxima wore it off to the side, balanced by a low chignon; on this outing, she followed the traditional placement of a calot hat, centered on the crown of her head. These photos allow us to see the graceful pleats that surround this hat, giving it a sense of movement and interest despite the very simple shape. Paired with her red coat, Máxima cast a rather vibrant picture. I’m curious- what do you think of the new way Queen Máxima wore this hat?
Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: October 1, 2013
Photos from Patrick van Katwijk, Patrick van Katwijk, Albert Philip Van Der Werf, and Patrick van Katwijk via Corbis; and Reuters via Het Koninklijk Huis
Royal Hats 
I commend Queen Maxima for her brave fashion choices because this pleated hat and this much red could look overdone on most people. She has the height, glamour and the colouring to carry this look. I like both placements, but I agree with others that sleeker hair would have been better. I love the cheeky flash of red from the soles of her Louboutin shoes too! I would like to raid all these pieces. I think Queen Maxima’s wearing of a pleated hat is more successful that Queen Mathilde’s because the latter wore pleats in her skirt as well as on the hat, so it was pleat overkill happening. Though I did like the red colour and the pleats on her hat too.
LOVE the structured hat with the very unstructured coat. And only Max can make this much red work.
Doesn’t Queen Mathilde have the same hat?
Similar, and also made by Fabienne Delvigne. The shape and pleating are slightly different and Queen Mathilde has worn it more like a beret than a calot.
https://royalhats.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/belgian-royal-couple-visit-germany/
I like this hat very much and Queen Mathilde looks good in red.
My family and some of my friends visiting today agree with me that this Queen Mathilde hat is a stunning hat, but perhaps it may work better worn further back on the head. Can we try please You Majesty?
I like Queen Mathilde’s version too. This is one of her best hats. She should wear red more often.
I love and want to own this pleated red fabric calot hat. I think Queen Máxima’s best color is red. I like the hat worn off to the side, balanced by a low chignon; or with the traditional placement centered on the crown of her head. I think this versatile hat can work just as well either way. Well played Queen Máxima!
My family and I are very impressed with this red hat and her other clothes too. It works in both placement positions. As some other posters have commented, we think the Dutch Queen’s hair could be neater.
I love Queen Maxima in everything, so of course I love this! Well, almost everything. I don’t like the ‘bandage hats’ and this one steers clear of that, so, yay!
I like the hat and her hair up better than down but I do wish she would wear more ‘royal’ rather than fashion, earrings. Some pearl studs or something. I often think her earrings cheapen the look
Queen Maxima is one of my favorites. She’s not afraid to wear color and to “push the envelope”. The only problem I have with this outfit is her hair. Like others have said, her hair looks messy.
I like the hat better this way, and I think it looks much better when her hair is pulled back. Love the color. Too much red is never enough. She looks great in vibrant colors, although really, Queen Maxima looks great in almost any color.
I don’t know if it’s the different hair and angle of the hat, or the overdose of tomato-red, but I very much prefer the previous outing.
I like both placements and I do like this unusual pleating on the hat, and the Queen looks striking in red. I wish her hair was neater in the latest outing.
I like this hat very much.
Hair a little sleeker/neater would be good, but otherwise I like it!
Still not a fan of these ‘wrappy’ hats – they remind me too much of some of the bad, mini-turbans worn in the 60s – and the other thing they make me think of is the period of time around the French Revolution! The paprika color on her however is really nice.
I thought the previous placement of this hat was striking, but today’s regular placement is first-rate too. The pleating makes this hat look good wherever it’s positioned. (I like the little bit of red in the shoes too.)
I agree with what you wrote.