King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima had another full day of engagements today, visiting the Reichstag, the Bundeskanzleramt and the Gropius Bau museum.
The dusky pink straw sidesweeping saucer hat is covered in by flowers made of trimmed coque feathers in paler shades of beigey-blush pink, with pearl bead centers. The hat is completed with straw bands circling around it, under the feather flowers (perhaps a structural element?).
It’s such a statement hat, I was a little surprised to see it in Germany today. I shouldn’t have been, as Máxima often brings out her big gun looks for state visits. And this is spectacular! I adore how the different dyed shades of the feathers pair so well with the dress, the colours complimenting while not being one note. Yes, the design obscures her face from certain angles but it’s such a stunning design, this almost doesn’t matter.
From the front, the headpiece looks like a bandeau or calot, however, it is an open circle, tapered around the back to fit the contours of Máxima’s head. Unlike the dress, which was painted after construction to continue the pattern perfectly across seams, the headpiece is made with a base of white silk and appliqued with hand cut sections of the the painted fabric.
It’s a great summer ensemble for the Dutch queen, the hand painted pattern giving interest and movement to the overall look. The scale of the headpiece works well with the dress, its classic lines giving a retro elegance to the ensemble even though it is a thoroughly modern shape! Would a solid colour hat have worked well? Of course, but I do admire that the unique and beautiful hand painted pattern, something we seldom see on a royal ensemble, was utilized and shown off to maximum effect.
Its the first time Máxima has paired this hat with this gold floral and lace dress and the two pieces compliment well. While it’s a head-to-toe look in the same hue, the smooth lines of the hat provide lovely contrast to the more textural dress. I particularly love the whimsical note provided by the earrings (note their reversed purple and topaz stones!).
Laurentien’s gown, made of radzimir silk, was designed by Edouard Vermeulen of the House of Natan (she and Constantijn resided in Brussels at the time so a Belgian designer wasn’t surprising or controversial). The bodice followed a straight boat neckline, modernized with a cowl-like fold.
The coat’s train flowed to a length of 3.5 meters (12 feet) over which Laurentien wore a full length, layered silk tulle veil. Unfortunately, the veil obscured the deep V at the back of the dress, a design feature that beautifully balanced the gown’s high neck at the front. At the time, I thought it was beautifully modern and sleek gown, elegantly regal in scale and design.
Laurentien anchored the veil with the diamond Laurel Wreath Tiara from the Dutch royal jewel collection. With her pearl and diamond drop earrings and voluminous veil, the tiara has just the right amount of sparkle, gravitas and height to complete this bridal look.
Queen Beatrix topped a blush silk floral collared dress and variegated pastel woven coat with a wide brimmed rose straw hat. The hat featured a wide, round crown with straight sides and flat top and an upturned kettle brim, trimmed with a layered pink silk hatband and swath of tulle wrapped around the crown.
Máxima Zorreguita, who would marry Prince Willem-Alexander the following February wore a brimmed taupe straw hat. The brim’s binding and triple layered hatband looked to be in the same silver silk as her suit, linking the pieces together.
We’ll look at hats worn by other members of the Dutch royal family and royal guests in tomorrow’s post. For now- what do you think of Laurentien’s bridal look, 20 years on?
She chose a suitably vibrant and whimsical ensemble for the occasion, topping a pink trouser and tunic with her textured orange straw hat with sharply diagonal sideweeping slice brim.
It’s a bold look that pulls together with Máxima’s jewelry and patterned pashmina and makes her stand out it a crowd. In some lighting, the hat takes on a pink hue from the tunic, further mellowing the look. It’s the most unexpected ensemble we’ve seen paired with this hat!
