Koningsdag is a Dutch national holiday that officially celebrates the monarch’s birthday. During Queen Juliana and Queen Beatrix’s reigns, the holiday was celebrated on April 30 (Juliana’s birthday and the day Beatrix’s ascended the throne) and Queen Beatrix began the tradition of moving this lighthearted, public celebration to different cities around the country each year.

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Under King Willem-Alexander’s reign, the holiday is celebrated on his actual birthday, April 27 and characterized by its vrijmarkt (free market) nation-wide garage sale where Dutch people sell used items; outdoor concerts and street parties; and the oranjegekte (orange madness) frenzy of wearing the national colour in exuberant ways!

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As the city of Amersfoort prepares to host this year’s Koningsdag festivities tomorrow, here is a look back at all the hats and headpieces Queen Máxima has worn to this event in years past:

Oatmeal straw upsweep with wide brim binding in 2002; Pink herringbone textured cloche with wide hatband and cream quills in 2003; Red fabric voluminous suede beret in 2004, all by Fabienne Delvigne

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Tan straw stovepipe with layered tan silk and pink tweed hatbands by Fabienne Delvigne in 2005;
Chocolate straw fascinator with loops and feathers by Stefanie Wesle in 2006

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Textured bright pink Fabienne Delvigne pillbox in 2008; Black feathered headpiece in 2009;
Black silk covered open-crown headpiece by Fabienne Delvigne in 2010

Smoky pink and purple silk rose hair decoration in 2011; Black bow headpiece by Fabienne Delvigne in 2012

Koningsdag Hats After Becoming Queen: 

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Ruched caramel straw ring headpiece in 2014; Bright pink straw sideswept ‘slice’ hat in 2015, both by Fabienne Delvigne

Lilac straw Fabirennne Delvigne picture hat with mushroom brim in 2016;  Navy smocked and beaded calot (likely by Jan Taminau) in 2017; A repeat of the 2002 red suede Fabienne Delvigne beret in 2018

UPDATE- Since this post was first published, Queen Máxima has worn the following hats on Koningsdag:

Two more Fabienne Delvigne designs; Oatmeal saucer in 2019 and a green and yellow silk Ikat toque in 2021

The more casual nature of this celebration brings a decidedly eclectic mix of millinery here, with a slight increase in formality since Máxima became queen. While I wasn’t keen on the mix of slouchy beret with last year’s beautiful dress, it was wonderfully unexpected to see the hat from 2002 brought back. Here’s hoping Queen Máxima has another hat surprise up her sleeve for tomorrow!

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Photos from Michel Porro, Michel Porro and Julian Parker via Getty; Patrick van Katwijk via Monarchy Press; Mark Renders via Getty; Patrick van Katwijk via Monarchy Press; Andreas Rentz, Patrick van Katwijk, Patrick van Katwijk, Patrick van Katwijk and Koen Van Weel/ANP/AFP via Getty

Queen Máxima was in Utrecht yesterday to take part in the jubilee congress of the National Institute for Budget Information. For this event, she repeated her blocked black felt teardrop percher with deep crease, trimmed with a black quill with jewelled beads.

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The hat’s unusual shape and beautiful sheen give it memorability on its own but its the combination with the beaded magenta frock that makes it sing. The two pieces are so well balanced and contrasted, they both are elevated by the presence of the other. I’m not sure I’d be drawn to this hat on its own but as part of this ensemble, it’s marvelous.

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Designer: Philip Treacy. Dress by Oscar de la Renta
Previously Worn: Oct 24, 2018

Queen Máxima was in Lieshout to join in festivities at the Bavaria Brewery which celebrated its 300th anniversary. For this occasion, she topped a new sapphire dress and coat with her repeated large picture hat in palest, dusty pink straw. The hat features a dramatic, upswept ‘slice’ brim and is simply trimmed with a wide Petersham ribbon hatband in the same colour, tied in a bow at the side.

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This is hardly a new millinery look for Máxima but there are some nuanced touches here that set it off beautifully. The high-contrast colour scheme is a bit unexpected but pulled together through the metallic dusty pink appliqued roses on the dress that firmly link with the hat. The hat’s wide brim also acts as a beautiful neutral backdrop for those earrings, statement pieces of their own that would be lost against a fussier hat. Head to toe, it’s a fantastic look for the Dutch queen.

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima arrived in Germany today for their annual economic mission, this year kicking off the trip in Bremen. Queen Máxima repeated her navy smocked silk crepe and georgette organza calot headpiece embroidered with narrow metal bugle beads.

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