King Willem Alexander and Queen Máxima undertook a state visit to Austria this week, arriving in Vienna on Monday.
For the first day of the visit, Queen Máxima wore a wide brimmed hat in red straw trimmed with a monochrome ribbon hatband.
From a distance, the hat tops a stand-out look we’ve all come to love and expect from the Dutch Queen. At closer view, I wish the finishing on the hat was more crisp and polished (note the wobbly brim finishing) but I really like how the hat’s classic, straight lines counterbalance the soft drape of the dress. The ensemble would have noticeably less presence without the hat so that makes it a firm success for me!
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Designer: bespoke “Gladys” design by Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Natan.
Previously Worn: This hat is new
On Tuesday, Queen Máxima repeated her blue mesh and cotton lace covered calot hat with matching dress. This time, she did not add the aquamarine and diamond brooch she affixed to this hat on its first outing.
I have slightly warmed to the modern placement of mesh and lace on this draped calot but so wish the hat was paired with a streamlined lace dress. This treatment of the dress’ neckline looks like it is swallowing Máxima up and the repeated unstructured trim on both the dress’ neckline and hat are just too much to keep the ensemble from looking messy.
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On this day, the couple visited Kulturhaus Brotfabrik community kitchen for a baking workshop. The resulting images taken are great fun. Don’t you wish we saw more, “Cooking with Royal Hats”?!
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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Natan.
Previously Worn: Oct 14, 2019
Yesterday, for the final day of the visit, Queen Máxima wore a textured golden brown straw bandeau headpiece trimmed with coffee hued silk roses.
The hat is a remake of a layered bandeau/calot Queen Máxima wore in Indonesia two years ago:
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I think this new version is a vast improvement! The shape is on-trend and the floral trim gives lift and life to the piece which now beautifully frames Máxima’s face. The last version… well, someone in my household described it as two giant garden slugs draped over her head. This version is so much better. Here’s to this improvement!
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Designer: unknown. Natan.
Previously Worn: Mar 10, 2020
All in all, I think this state visit was a millinery success. What do you think of the hats Queen Máxima wore this week in Austria?
Images from Getty as indicated