Category Archives: Netherlands

Dutch State Visit to India

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King Willem Alexander and Queen Máxima arrived in India late Sunday (with the king co-piloting their plane!) for a state visit that officially kicked off yesterday.

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For the first day of events, Queen Máxima wore a new dress and matching calot hat, overlaid in pale blue widely woven mesh on which is affixed a darker blue cotton lace. A large square aquamarine and diamond brooch was pinned to left side of the hat.

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It’s a brave and interesting look but one I think is compromised by fabric choice- the rough edges of the lace’s blue mesh base give the ensemble (particularly the dress) a messy, unpolished look. The draped collar/sleeve also gives considerable volume to the top of the dress which inevitably, competes with the hat. On its own, I think the hat could work as the lace and mesh have some nice movement and lightness that is completely lost against the dress. Next outing, I’d like to see the hat paired with a solid, streamlined dress to see how it works.

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Designer: unknown. Dress by Natan
Previously Worn: this hat is new

We don’t usually discuss evening looks here but I’m going to bend the rules to include a magnificent gown Queen Máxima wore for last night’s state banquet. Made by Jan Taminau from an embroidered silk sari Máxima bought in Jaipur (known as the ‘pink city’) during her and the king’s 2007 visit, I thought it was diplomatic dressing perfection.

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For the second day of engagements today, Queen Máxima repeated a hat some of us have been longing to see again. The wide coral straw saucer is edged in tan straw binding and trimmed with a mass of multicoloured feathers.

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The pairing of this hat with the tawny silk dress and low ponytail is excellent and creates a less formal background for the hat to shine as the inevitable statement that it is. A few minor quibbles- I’d love to see less vertical placement of those feathers (it sill reminds me of an Obsk!) and the hat worn at a less extreme angle and tilted down over her eyebrow but overall, the design is a fun and vibrant alternative to Máxima’s go-to shapes and I was so happy to see it again.

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Designer: unknown. Dress by Natan
Previously Worn: May 20, 2015

There’s much to discuss here- what do you think of Queen Máxima’s hats so far on this Indian state visit?!

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Photos from Getty as indicated 

Dutch Queens in Burgundy Hats

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Today saw the former and current Dutch queens attend events, both in burgundy hats. To unveil a statue of Willem van Oranje (founder of the house Orange-Nassau) in Dordrecht this morning, Princess Beatrix repeated a burgundy straw bumper hat with domed crown and exterior brim covered in feathers.

The shape is a ubiquitous one in Princess Beatrix’s millinery wardrobe to the extent that most of us associate this style as her ‘signature’ look. The colour is excellent on her and the feathers, with their darker edges, give great dimension to the piece. I’m not usually a fan of feather covered hats but somehow, this one works.

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Designer: Designer: likely Suzanne Moulijn
Previously Worn: Oct 2, 2014;  Nov 21, 2013;  Nov 22, 2011

Queen Máxima was in Amersfoort today to attend national meeting of volunteer palliative caregivers and programs. She repeated the muted burgundy melusine felt fedora we saw her wear last week (a far faster repeat than we usually see from her!)

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Since we recently talked about the effortless vibe this hat gets from its relaxed brim it, let’s focus here on styling. Today’s ensemble is a fussier one than the dress we’ve seen paired with this hat so far- between the complicated neckline and trailing tie on the blouse and the skirt’s asymmetrical hem, there’s a lot going on here. We usually think of hats adding or complementing an ensemble but here, I think this hat grounds and tempers it. Imagine this ensemble without the hat – not as good, right?!

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. It is the “Borsamalia”
Previously Worn: Oct 2, 2019; Jan 31, 2019 

What do you think of these two burgundy hats in Holland today?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

Princess Beatrix Commemorates Putten Raid

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On Wednesday, Princess Beatrix  attended the 75th commemoration of Putten Raid at Putten City Hall. Putten Raid occurred October 1, 1944 when Nazis deported almost all of the men of the village to concentration camps- of 602 taken, just 48 survived. For this memorial, Princess Beatrix wore a black straw hat with boater-style crown and a wide, kettle-edged brim with gentle sidesweep. The hat is trimmed with a hatband/cuff of black patent leather.

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From a distance, the brim binding plays with multiple layers of straw that forms a darker stripe (where layers are attached and overlap) and gossamer light edge. It’s an interesting design feature that we’ll just look at from a distance (closeup, it’s not as neat as it could be), appreciating the way it gives movement to the otherwise monochrome design The patent leather hatband offers the same and, I think, the hat is better for it.

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Designer: likely Susanne Moulijn
Previously Worn: unknown

Despite several searches through my archives, I’m not able to find a previous outing for this hat, making me suspect it’s a revised iteration of either this similar design, or this one.

Photos from Getty as indicated 

Dutch Queen Atteneds Sciencemakers Awards

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Queen Máxima was at the Spoorwegmuseum in Utrecht yesterday to attend the Sciencemakers Awards given to young people who have won national or international competitions in science, technology and making/inventing during the past year. For this year’s ceremony, the Dutch queen repeated her muted burgundy melusine felt fedora with relaxed brim, trimmed with a hatband of the same fabric as on her coordinating dress.

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There’s a chic effortlessness about this hat, I think that comes from its relaxed shape and slightly fuzzy pile of the felt. On their own, the hat and dress could easily read as one note, boring or flat, but the styling here, with this fantastic necklace, works so well, especially at a less formal event such as this.

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. It is the “Borsamalia”
Previously Worn: Jan 31, 2019

I’ve warmed to this hat since its first outing. On its own, I’d probably it pass over in a millinery shop but today, it topped a great working royal ensemble. Are any of you warming to it as well?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

Dutch Monarchs Visit Southwest Drenthe

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima braved temperamental weather today on a regional visit that took them to four towns in the northern area of Southwest Drenthe.

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For this visit, Queen Máxima repeated her waved headpiece in blush striped silk abaca, trimmed with a large coordinating silk flower.

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There’s much to love about this headpiece- it’s beautiful shape, sense of movement, exquisite lightness and the lovely contrast provided by those stripes. What doesn’t work here for me is the styling- there’s just too much going on. Ruffled high necked blouses and sweeping headpieces are usually an unsuccessful combination adding a fussy, voluminous trouser suit is never going to help. After Máxima’s stellar look yesterday for Prinsjesdag, this ensemble just falls flat. Although… if I’m honest… this headpiece has always felt a little flat in comparison to it’s stunning cousin.

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: Oct 12, 2017;  May 27, 2014;  March 24, 2014

I’m curious, dear readers- if you were tasked with styling this headpiece on Queen Máxima, what would you pair it with?

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Photos from social media and Getty as indicated 

Prinsjesdag 2019

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Members of the Dutch Royal family celebrated Prinsjesdag today, the start of a new session of Dutch parliament that takes place every year in The Hague on the third Tuesday of September.

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King Willem-Alexander, who addressed a joint session of the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives, was joined in The Hague by Queen Máxima, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien (along with this familiar cheerleader!). As per tradition, the women dressed in long gowns and hats according to the 18th century court dress code that remains in place for this event.

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Queen Máxima wore a domed beret hat with teardrop point in deep claret velvet felt. The brimless design is trimmed with a double knotted bow with rolled tails on the side.

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First up, the colour is absolutely divine on Máxima. I wasn’t initially on board with the hat’s uniquely domed shape but I’ve come around- the pearl encrusted collar/capelet on Máxima’s gorgeous gown (LOVE her in Timinau designs!) makes a strong statement that needed some millinery oomph to counterpoint. A flatter percher would have been too little and a brimmed hat, too much against that collar. The luxuriously sleek lines and texture of this hat enable it to stand on its own while linking so amazingly well with the dress (and THAT diamond and ruby stomacher!). It’s grand, regal and all kinds of glamour.

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Designer: Philip Treacy. It is OC933 from AW 2019. Gown by Jan Taminiau
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Princess Laurentien also topped her gown, in pink textured lace with underlayer of sequinned metallic voille, with a teardrop- shaped hat. The pink sinamay percher base is formed with a gently curving raised edge that gives dimension to the design, which is completed with a mass of hibiscus blooms made of pink feathers. The hat pairs with the gown to create a beautifully coordinated look with layered, textural contrast to break up the single colour. It’s a more subtle look for Laurentien but one she wears very well.

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Designer: Eudia. Gown by Hardies Couture The Hague
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Prinsjesdag always brings statement royal looks and this year is no different- what do you think of this pair of hats today in The Hague?

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Photos from Getty as indicated 

Dutch Queen Celebrates Kids’ Support Program

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Queen Máxima was in Utrecht yesterday to attend the 40th anniversary of the Child Phone support program. For this celebration, she repeated her black straw picture hat with sharply upsweeping ‘slice’ brim.

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There’s not much to say about this hat (it’s a black version of her go-to brimmed style and while we’ve now only seen it three times, it’s a very familiar style) but there is much to admire about its styling with this dress. On it’s own, the dress is fantastic and sets a perfect balance of contrasting pattern that could easily have been upset with the wrong accessories. The smooth curves of the hat works so well with the white background of the bodice and the whole ensemble is brought together with a dichotomy of classic pearls and killer patent heels. It’s SO GOOD.

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Carolina Herrera.
Previously Worn: July 18, 2017; Nov 7, 2016

I’m a sucker for black and white ensembles and love the pairing of this hat and dress. What do you think?

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Photos from Getty as indicated