Queen Máxima was in Haarlem on Tuesday to open a new wing of the Teylers Museum.
For this engagement, she wore a new hat in deep aubergine felt with a rounded crown and wide brim. The design is simply trimmed with a wide Petersham ribbon hatband.
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The cherry red outfit works so well with the dark hat, the colours providing great contrast in a much more interesting palate than, say, red and black (Queen Margrethe has a red and aubergine hat that we’ve widely admired for the same reason!). I’m less sure about the shape of the brim on its raised side- a smoother shape would give a much more refined look to the design. Between the large hat, ruffled collar, earrings and loose hair, there’s a lot going on here. The last time we saw this coat with a hat, it was this brimless one, which I think paired better with the statement collar.
Designer: likely Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: this hat is new
Thought about Queen Máxima’s new hat?
Images from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
I was just about to comment that the Danish Queen has started a new colour trend with her red/aubergine pairing, when you mentioned it! It’s a trend I’m right behind – it’s such a change from red and black, which always has a military uniform vibe for me, especially with plain colours.
Not quite such a fan of the actual hat – I agree about the wave in the front being off. On the other hand, the hat distracts the eye from the shapeless tent coat which looks terrible from the shoulders down (unless one actually is pregnant, clearly not the case for Maxima), so on the whole, it’s a win.
I actually really like this whole look and I hope we see this hat again!
Could the brim be slightly more refined? Yes, but I’m a bit more forgivable with it being felt (as opposed to the sinamay hat of similar shape and color from September: https://royalhats.net/2021/09/15/queen-maxima-on-the-move-with-sideswept-hats/). I love the drama of the high slice hats, but the softer and lower sweeping brim allows this hat to go from formal to more casual. It also took me a minute to realize this was the ruffled collar coat from before because wearing it open makes a huge difference. Finally, I like Máxima’s hair down here; I think it offers a nice balance to the big brim and works for this more relaxed outing.
I forgot I was going to mention it was odd how at one point Máxima decided to remove her hat, leave it in the car, and switch to a magenta-colored mask during the same outing, including being outdoors for part of that time.
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Jake, I LOVE the photo. I love seeing photos of Royal hats not on Royal heads.
How about these to put a smile on your pre-weekend face? TGIF!
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Excellent collection, Jimbo!
According to modekoninginmaxima.nl there were two events that day and the hat was removed for the second event. Today the same website mentioned that Maxima’s hat count has reached 250 and gives an overview.
Nope! Too much going on. Huge brim, mask, ruffled collar, mask, giant earrings, hair. The hat should have been allowed to shine.
The excuse that always trotted out (not just here) of ‘it’s Maxima’s exuberant personality so it’s all ok’ wears thin especially when it looks such a mess. It shouldn’t look a mess, it should look refined and elegant and it doesn’t.
I am not so much bothered by the hat or the outfit. Those colors are often paired. It’s the untidy hair that bothers me. The strands of hair are all messed up with the collar. While these European royal ladies dress well, their looks are often spoiled by the sloppy hair. Just my old fashioned opinion.
Yes.
Barbara, I share your old fashioned opinion. I do like this hat but what I love is the coat. Her hair hides the best part of the coat’s design.
I am not sure about the brim of the hat, although the color is wonderful.
This is Maxima! You are right, JamesB. Maxima will never follow Coco Chanel’s advice. It’s a shame, because she has great hats and great clothes in her closets, but wearing too much detracts from the overall look. While I appreciate her enthusiasm and exuberance, there is frequently way too much going on.
I love this new hat. I love the outfit, especially with the coat open (closed, as we see in its previous outing, is a little too shapeless.) But I don’t love them together. It’s like this hat is on a blind date with the outfit, and this just isn’t the one! (“It’s not you, it’s me!” they say to each other)
Hopefully the next outfit is better match for both!
You know how Coco Chanel advised you to always take off one accessory before you leave the house? That’s advice Máx is never going to take! And good for that I reckon – yes there’s a lot going on, but from the neck down it’s all very plain, so i think it works, and like you say, those colours together are just perfect. This is a lovely warm and festive outfit.