King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima continue their visit to North America this week with stops in several cities in the United States. For their day in Washington D.C. today, where their itinerary centred around a visit with President Obama at the White House, Queen Máxima repeated a classic black and white dress, pearls, and her black open-crowned headpiece. While I have not offered many compliments for this silk-covered piece in the past, something about its pairing with this dress and jewellery within this context (during a heatwave in a country known for informal fashion, where hats are seldom worn) somehow makes sense.
Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: May 29, 2013; April 30, 2010
What do you think of Máxima’s open topped hat today?
Photos from ISP Pool and ISP Pool via Corbis and Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
Color me impressed. I love absolutely everything about this…and I am firmly anti-donut hat! Maxima’s looking just lovely!
QM looks magnificent from her knees up. I think wearing nude hose or no hose would have been appropriate to the functions at Arlington and the White House. And I am sure she would have felt more comfortable. As usual she oozes care free elegance.
100% agree.
A stunning outfit! I agree with others’ general dislike of open-crowned headpieces, but this makes the entire outfit look perfect. The Queen’s hair looks wonderful today too. Fabulous job!
I was at the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington and Maxima looked stunning, especially when she was only 10 feet away from me at one point. She looked very appropriate for the occasion, although I was a hot, sweaty mess in my suit by the time everything was done (it was already 80 F and very humid by 9:00 a.m.). I’ve never really been a fan of this style of hat in the past, but the color, shape, and material of this one, and seeing it in person, changed my mind; I love it! I think her chignon hairstyle also helped make this hat a success, and she gets bonus points for wearing the pantyhose in such awful mugginess and heat. There were a few other hats worn by guests while at ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, including a wool black pillbox, a large salmon-colored straw hat with some black detailing, and a black cotton sunhat, in addition to the military hats.
Excited to see if she brings out any other hats during her U.S. tour (which I hope she does!).
Thanks for sharing this encounter, Jake. I don’t know how in that sort of heat and humidity, Maxima looked as flawless as she did.
It is so interesting to hear that so many of you had the same change of heart about this open-topped headpiece as I did. It seems that the combination of her hairstyle and her very classic dress and pearls made all the difference.
And yes- there is another hat today in Grand Rapids. I’m just waiting for photos to become available to post.
Just realized none of these photos show the black gloves she wore to the ceremony at Arlington Cemetery; they added another piece of elegance. I have some photos from that appearance, but they aren’t as great as these. Looking forward to the updates from the rest of the Dutch Royal Visit!
Please post your pictures….Pretty Please! Anyone know why they’re going to Michigan?
The area around Grand Rapids is home to the largest Dutch-origin community in the USA (almost 500,000 people).
Wow didn’t know that. Thanks.
How do you spell PERFECT. I agree with the rest about open tops, but in this case Max maintains her personal style on our side of the pond while at the same time presenting a Queenly countenance.
Let’s see if these links work for a few of my photos: https://twitter.com/shojra/status/605382172816625664 and https://instagram.com/p/3Zj1TWmTwA/?taken-by=shojra.
Nice! You were really close!
Jake- thank you for sharing your photos as they are really wonderful!
She looks just right, donut hat, dark hose included. She seems indefatigable during a long tour of both Canada and the US.
From all accounts, Liz, these foreign tours are beyond exhausting. I have been so impressed this tour at the charisma and ‘common touch’ so effortlessly displayed by both the King and Queen. And of course, I love Maxima all the more for wearing hats! If only Queen Letizia took the hint. Can you imagine her gorgeous suit in France today topped with a chic hat?!
The hat works. I thought they were going to the Calgary area too….that might not be right.
No, their visit to Canada is finished. They move on to Grand Rapids, Michigan today and then on to Chicago where they conclude the entire tour tomorrow.
Wow, she looks absolutely amazing. This is the best look I have seen on anyone lately, and there have been some great looks posted here. She really pulled it together, and looked so elegant and chic. While I normally am not a fan of the open hats, it looked perfect with the undo. There is not one part of her outfit that anyone could find fault with. She could outshine anyone in looks and beauty, and real elegance. A home run for Max!
Completely agree with you..
From the top of her black silk headpiece to the tip of her elegantly shod toes, Max looks every inch a Queen. And, let’s face it, that’s what she’s there for. Her updo is perfect and her jewellery discreet but gorgeous enough to know they definitely didn’t come out of a Wheaties box. Her black and white dress was the epitome of elegance and, as to the dark stockings, I think nude would look awkward with her ensemble although it seems she has tripped over a local fashion rule and committed a sartorial faux pas. However, I think being an invited guest, and a Queen to boot, gazumps that.
Wow, Queen Max in picture 4 is my idol!! She is stunning!! I love the whole look, even the pantyhose, while I admit that open crowned hats are not my favorites either! As Hat Queen said, it is perfect for being in an extremely informal country. Cheers for Queen Max!
Yes, I’m a fan too. The updo used here is very nice and sets off the headpiece very well. Maxima looks very relaxed and at ease. How easy does she make it all look!!! Thanks.
Somehow this works and I am not a fan of these type of hats, I would not have known it was a doughnut type hat if there hadn’t been pictures of the back. I love the entire outfit except for black stockings in June during the day…………….nooooooooooooo! And her heavy make-up is not good.
I wonder if she did not want to be bare legged for her visit to Arlington National Cemetery?
I’m hoping that’s the reason…..
She looks very elegant here – classic black and white and it just shows that when Max tones it down a bit she can have max impact. Not sure about those tights though…
Normally I don’t like the donuts but it works here. She should get a medal for wearing pantyhose in DC in June! Otherwise she looks great.
I’m not a fan of the open crowned hats, but Maxima still looks regal.
I agree completely. A hat/not-a-hat was the perfect choice for the occasion. What do you think of the dark hose? I’m usually not a fan unless it is a very formal or somber event, but somehow it seems to work with this outfit. I looked on the internet but could not find what Mrs. Obama worn, assuming she was there.