King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima attend the annual Dutch Remembrance Day tribute held at Dam Square in Amsterdam yesterday to remember victims of World War II.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Queen Máxima repeated a black felt cloche variation for this event with tall, squared crown and short brim. Yesterday, the piece was simply trimmed with a double Petersham ribbon hatband- on its past outings, the hat was trimmed first with a large white flower and second, a spray of black feathers. This version of the hat is decidedly more stark but I think this works for this type of event. My qualms with this piece are not with the trim but with the height of the crown, which seems to have soared right past cloche territory into the realm of a top hat. It’s dramatic yes but flattering? I’m not sure.
Princess Margriet was also in attendance, accompanied by her husband and son, in a black and white feathered headpiece we’ve seen her wear before.
Photos from Getty and social media as indicated
Royal Hats 
Without any embellishments/trim, this hat does seem quite tall unfortunately. I liked the black feathers.
As for Margriet: it’s nice to see her out again, but this fascinator is barely visible, so for me it’s like “what’s the point?”. Also, I didn’t care for it the first time, and she has other black hats that are much more flattering.
Oh I much much prefer this version to the other two with the trim. In both those cases, it feels to me like the trim is trying to “cover up” the tall crown. Here it’s very sleek and beautiful, the tall crown is a design element that stands on its own to add interest without being too exaggerated. I like this black hat a lot, it’s visually interesting, and I’m so glad the trim has been removed.
I quite like the hat, but it is a little odd the way it appears almost Mad-Hatter-top-hat from the front, and yet only a bit tall and not at all ‘waisted’ from the side.
I agree that it’s way too tall. A shame because the overall look is fine.
While I like the hat I would agree the crown a bit lower might be better without embellishment. I would also agree that with embellishment it helps the proportions. I liked the black feathers with it over the large white flower. But these are quibbles, the hat and her entire outfit is overall an elegant look for this occasion.
I read in the paper that this was a “statement hat” – and I agree ! Maxima looks so elegant and respectful …. it’s a pleasure to see both her and Willem Alexander together – they really do compliment each other don’t they ?
I like this version the best, though I think a lower crown would be better
Perhaps the previous trims on the hat made the hat appear more proportional? Now that it has just a ribbon, there’s nothing to draw the eye away from the height of the hat. Although I think the hat’s best outing was with the flower (Queen Juliana’s funeral, I believe) like it this way, i find it unusual and flattering.
Lovely as this sombre black hat is, is almost ventures into the cartoonish realm by being so tall.
Agreed — “cartoonish” is a good word for it.