Queen Máxima opened a specialized support centre for eating disorders in Zevenhuizen today. For the opening of Leontienhuis, named after founder Dutch racing cyclist Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel, Máxima choose a cheery red straw hat. Made of two large petals of straw, the unembellished hat has an open crown.

I know these open-topped pieces are not popular (I am on record for being less than a fan) but they provide an interesting alternative for a casual hat. This one has the most beautiful sense of movement on the brim and the colour is beautiful on Máxima. In the end, I would prefer it with a crown but it remains an interesting piece as is.

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: November 1, 2011; October 29, 2011

What do you think of this vibrant open topped hat?

Photos from Patrick van Katwijk/dpa, Patrick van Katwijk/dpa, Patrick van Katwijk/dpa, Patrick van Katwijk/dpa, Patrick van Katwijk/dpa, and Patrick van Katwijk/dpa via Corbis

For the recent bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo, Queen Máxima repeated a Fabienne Delvigne headpiece made of luminescent silver silk. The open topped headpiece, made of two padded and tapered U-shaped forms that create a ring around Máxima’s head, was met with lukewarm reception when she wore it first in October 2007 at Princess Arianne’s christening. Since then Queen Máxima has paired it with two other outfits, both in blue lace.

This morning, Queen Máxima was in Nieuwolda to officially open a new nursing centre. For the event, she repeated her ringed headpiece in ruched caramel brown straw. The last time we saw this hat, I did not have any love for it; the improved placement on Máxima’s head and the pairing with her more casual green dress make it work so much better. I’m not ready to declare love for these doughnut shaped headpieces but I’ll concede that today, this one worked.

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: April 26, 2014

What do you think of this ruched headpiece today?

Photos from Rpe/Albert Nieboer/dpa, Rpe/Albert Nieboer/dpa, Rpe/Albert Nieboer/dpa, Rpe/Albert Nieboer/dpa, Rpe/Albert Nieboer/dpa all via Corbis

Queen Máxima visited the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam yesterday to open an an exhibition on Dutch design over the past 200 years.  For this opening, she repeated her large burgundy picture hat with a low, square crown and large mushroom-shaped brim. Despite its very simple grosgrain ribbon trim around the edge of the brim and base of the crown, the colour and scale of this hat give it loads of dramatic impact. With her striped gold and claret dress and orange accessories (an unusual choice that work surprisingly well), Máxima certainly stands out in a crowd.