One of the most vibrant hats in Queen Máxima’s wardrobe is a large coral straw disk edged in beige straw binding, trimmed with multicoloured feathers inspired by the Carmine Bee-Eater bird. Made by South African designer Bettina Thomas, the Dutch Queen has paired this memorable hat with two ensembles:
Look #1: With a coral tonal printed Natan coat dress worn May 20, 2015 to open a sculpture exhibition in The Hague
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Look #2: With a beige silk ruched waist dress, also by Natan, worn October 15, 2019 in India
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Which dress do you prefer most with this hat?
Photos from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
I think the first one is much better – yes, it’s a lot of look, but Queen Maxima carries it off splendidly. She really isn’t a beige kind of person. It’s not that she looks bad in the shade – quite the contrary – but it doesn’t express her ebullient personality so well.
I don’t think that the hat is especially flattering. It attracts attention, yes, but the tilt of the hat and the placement of the feathers just don’t work. As for the choice of dresses— definitely the first one, but only because of the color. I think that with a fuller skirt, the hemline could be a little bit lower.
I agree with most other people that the first look is by far the better of the two. As othrs have said the second dress is not flattering.
i LOVE this hat – the simplicity of the design, the colour mix, and the flair of the feathers. it goes with both of the outfit colours but unfortunately the beige dress is not very flattering – a simple beige sheath/shift dress would allow the hat to sing for itself, so based on the looks #1 is by far the best pairing here
Look #1 is fantastic, and what a great vibrant coral color for the dress. It’s the bland beige/tan dress in look #2 that is off-putting for me. Max should take lessons from Queen Elizabeth – she needs to stand out, and tan blends in too much.
Both dresses were at some time accompanied by large, neutral straw hats. Here are two examples to enjoy, adding to the mix.
April 16, 2016: Four Freedom Awards
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May 18, 2019: 100 Years of General Election Law
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Today is Labor Day for many Royal Hat enthusiasts. The fashion police are in full force today, looking for white shoes and white hats. A gentle reminder to put them away for the season. I put my white Roblee buckled shoes (from 1975) to the rear of the closet.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-MENS-ROBLEE-WHITE-LEATHER-BUCKLED-MONK-STRAP-SLIP-ON-SHOES-8C-/143566832338
I remember that joint engagement so well. My first reaction was a giant WHOOOOAAAA! The two Queens went for a lot of look.
I think my issue is with the hat. That plume of feathers at a right angle to the brim just looks odd. I do like the colours though, and both outfits are a good tonal match. I just think a sleeker dress than either of these would have been a better match for the exuberant hat. But then, that wouldn’t be Máxima would it!
The first dress is my pick. I prefer the fabric and design much more in the orange dress than the unstructured, limp fabric of the second dress.
Even though the co-ordination between the two queen in #1 is fabulous, I prefer the second look. The toned down dress allows for the hat to shine.
I don’t think the vibrant style of the hat really goes with the droopy second dress. I would have thought that it might brighten an essentially dull outfit, but actually I think they fight a bit, and the droopy dress would have been better served by a more subdued hat.
On the other hand, I think the first outfit is great, cheerful and engaging, and as has been said, a magnificent match for what Mathilde is wearing! (Can that really have been chance?!)
I’m not a great fan of this hat with its exploding parrot trim, but it certainly brightened up the second outfit. Maxima wears a lot of beige/toffee/coffee shades, but this one wasn’t one of her best, so the hat distracts the eye from the weird ruffled skirt.
I’m voting for first wear, but I’m sure using Mathilde as one of the accessories made it better! Whether serendipity or by design, the two Queens looked great together on that first occasion!