Tag Archives: Queen Máxima

British Royals Welcome Dutch State Visit

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima began a two-day state visit to Great Britain today with official welcomes first from the Dutch Ambassador in London, then from Queen Elizabeth, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. As she usually does, Queen Máxima kicked off the state visit with a new ensemble, this one topped with a sculpted bandeau headpiece. 

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The headpiece is covered in the same pale pink fabric studded with fine gold sequins as the mid section of her coat- a design feature that works thanks to the coat’s contrasting finely woven tweed on the top and skirt that breaks up the overall look.  I think this is the first bandeau we’ve seen on Queen Máxima and it is shown to great impact with her wonderful hairstyle and fantastic jewellery. The shape is a smart choice for this event- it’s chic, elegant and completely on-trend while the subtle colour palate keeps her from overshadowing her husband and Queen Elizabeth, the two true heads of state at this meetup. As much as I’d love to see Máxima in a more dramatic hat with this coat, this event really wasn’t the time to pull one out of the cupboard. I think this is some very well-played strategic, diplomatic dressing from Queen Máxima and her stylist. 

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Designer: unconfirmed. Coat by Claes Iversen.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Queen Elizabeth repeated her royal purple felt hat with square crown, upfolded kettle brim and dark purple velvet hatband, trimmed with silk irises and velvet leaves.

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The connection between hat and coat remains a very good one and I adore how the velvet trim adds a luxurious contrast of colour and texture to both pieces. A conversation here last week about the usual placement of hat trim on the right side (from our view, the left!) balancing the ever-present brooch has me wishing, again, that the flower and leaf trim on this design was placed on the side but it’s a minor quibble that doesn’t take away how lovely the Queen looks in this shade of purple and how good the overall ensemble is on her.

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Designer: Angela Kelly
Previously Worn: Mar 6, 2018; Dec 7, 2017; Nov 24, 2016

The Duchess of Cornwall surprised in a new hat- I say surprised because the shape is so familiar (she has at least three others off the same hat block) it took me a while to realize this hat is not one we’ve seen before! In navy straw, the design features a wide, sidesweeping brim and angular crown with off-center peak, and is finished with large straw twists. The colour is lovely on Camilla and, like Queen Máxima’s pale pink, slightly muted her presence in group photos.  While the scale and shape of this have become very familiar, they make up her quintessential signature millinery look- a look which continues to suit her so very well.

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Designer: Philip Treacy. It is OC 456 from SS 2018
Previously Worn: This hat is new

While longtime reader JamesB predicted (hoped?!) in comments yesterday that the Queen would pay tribute to the House of Orange by wearing her new rust or orange hat, Buckingham Palace acknowledged that instead, a symbolic nod was paid through dessert at the following luncheon- a chocolate orange torte! Desserts aside, dearest readers, what do you think of this trio of royal hats in London today?
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Photos from Getty as indicated

Dutch Queen Celebrates Association of Insurers

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On Wednesday, Queen Máxima visited the Dutch Association of Insurers in the Hague to celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary and reopen their newly renovated office. For this event, she repeated her burgundy velvet calot hat wrapped in a swath of net veil.

It’s a good working hat for Máxima- great colour, small profile, good contrast with her hair- but I prefer it with the velvet top we saw it paired with on its first outing. The mix of patterned skirt, scarlet silk blouse and other burgundy accessories is an interesting one but a bit disjointed.


Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: Nov 29, 2016
What do you think about this ensemble- brave and bold or a bit too much?
Photos from Getty as indicated

Dutch Monarchs Visit Zeeland

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima made a regional visit to Schouwen-Duiveland and Tholen in the province of Zeeland today. For this day away, Queen Máxima repeated her pleated red turban.

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It’s impossible to talk about this hat without including the rest of her ensemble- a stunning new Claes Iversen blouse and embellished skirt. On its own, this hat is not one of my favourites as this turban shape’s high, full crown gives it a helmet vibe. Paired with this blouse and skirt, however, the turban’s impact is muted and it becomes a supporting note to this vibrant ensemble. With a sleek chignon, hoop earrings and magenta pumps, the hat tops a beautifully balanced outfit that certainly makes a statement but works so well as a whole.

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. Blouse and skirt by Claes Iversen.
Previously Worn: March 20, 2015

It takes a certain amount of confidence to pull off an ensemble where a puffy red turban is a supporting feature but Queen Máxima does it so well. I love this look on her- what do you think of it?!
Photos from Getty as indicated

Dutch Visit to Germany Day 3

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On Friday, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visited Völklinger Ironworks and Homburg on the final day of their visit to Germany. For this day’s engagements, Queen Máxima repeated her cranberry felt, wide-brimmed Garbo hat simply trimmed with a wide hatband and side bow. It’s a hat that makes a strong statement but doesn’t overwhelm the Dutch queen and I think she continues to wear it well. I’m just not sure it’s colour pairing with this dress is its best (although much improved over the checked suit we saw paired with it on its last outing).

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Natan
Previously Worn: Jan 13, 2018; Oct 4, 2017
What do you think about this hat and dress combination?
Photo by Uwe Anspach/picture alliance via Getty Images

Dutch Visit to Germany Day 2

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima continued their trip to Germany today with another busy programme that included visits to an artificial intelligence research facility, the State Chancellery in Saarland, and the High Cathedral of Saint Peter and Porta Nigra Roman gate in Trier. For these events, Queen Máxima repeated her pleated red fabric calot hat.

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It’s a good look for her again today. The pleating on the hat gives it a lovely sense of movement- not something we often see on a design of this size and shape- and the hat is shown to absolute perfection with Máxima soft hairstyle and hoop earrings. I’m not always a fan of matching accessories in the same shade but in this instance, the vibrant hits of colour from the hat, purse and shoes balance well with the less saturated, lighter pattern of the dress.

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. It is the draped ‘Tino’ beret
Previously Worn: February 3, 2015; October 1, 2013
I think this is a great look for Queen Máxima- what do you think?  We’ll catch up on tomorrow’s final look of this Germany visit later in the weekend, after the royal wedding!
Photos from Getty as indicated