Queen Máxima had a busy day yesterday, opening new facilities of the CONO cheesemakers in Westbeemster and a non-profit support program of the Waaier Foundation at the Alkmaar Stadium in Alkmaar. For these events, she debuted a new brimless hat made from the same rough, nubby woven silk linen as her swing jacket. The colour is more neutral than what we usually see Máxima wear, but looked really great with her gold jewelry and maroon pencil skirt.

I was all about to wax lyrical about this new pillbox when I saw this photo montage and learned that this lovely pillbox was not, in fact, a pillbox at all. I’m going to pretend this hat isn’t a donut because from the front, it is so pretty. What do you, dear readers, think of this hat and matching jacket?

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. It is the “Tino” design.
Previously Worn: This is a new hat

Photos from Patrick van Katwijk via Monarchy Press; Koen van Weel via ANP; and Patrick van Katwijk via Corbis

We saw Queen Máxima wear her dramatic purple wool hat at two high profile events last month- once while touring Japan and the other, for the Spanish King and Queen’s introductory visit to the Netherlands. Since debuting this hat a year ago, Queen Máxima has paired it with three different dresses- begging the question of which pairing do you think is best? For more details on each outing of this hat, click on each photo to link back to the original post:

Ensemble #1: with a teal peplum dress worn  November 12, 2013 to present the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Prijs and October 15, 2014 on a tour of Japan

Ensemble #2: with a with a grape hounds tooth checked dress with funnel neckline worn in Tilburg on March 18, 2014

Ensemble #3: with a muted burgundy silk peplem dress and statement costume necklace worn October 15, 2014 to welcome the King and Queen of Spain on an introductory visit.

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Update- since original publication, additional outfits have been worn with this hat:

Ensemble #4: with a dark purple coat and bright pink leopard print sheath dress worn on October 18, 2015 at the Rijksmuseum.

Ensemble #5: with the dark purple coat and a cherry red dress with purple stitching around the neckline worn on February 5, 2018 to open the Oncode Institute for cancer research

Ensemble #6: With a raspberry silk Natan coat, purple scarf and floral dress with high-low hem to welcome a Singapore state visit on November 21, 2018

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So, dearest readers- which ensemble works best with this stunning hat?

Photos from Patrick van Katwijk via Corbis; Patrick van Katwijk via Dutch Photo Press; Mark Cuthbert via Getty; Patrick van Katwijk via Corbis; Patrick van Katwijk via Dutch Photo Press; Mark Cuthbert via Getty; Patrick van Katwijk/dpa/Corbis and Patrick van Katwijk/dpa/Corbis  and  Patrick van Katwijk/ANP via Belga

The second day of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima’s visit brought a huge millinery surprise- the repeat performance of a statement hat we have not seen in 9 years! Today, Queen Máxima very unexpectedly appeared in the grey silk flower headpiece that she wore for Princess Alexia’s christening in November 2005.

This is a statement headpiece to be sure. It really is a work of art as the grey petals on the silk flower anchoring this piece carry movement, texture and shape that feels very real. It’s huge, it’s bold, it’s brave and it’s beautiful. While the colours are soft, there is still significant contrast between the frothy headpiece and Máxima’s tweedy tunic. I love this contrast and think it makes the whole ensemble work but suspect some of you might feel differently. No matter our like or dislike of this headpiece and/or its pairing with this outfit, it is wonderful to see it return from the back of the millinery vault, isn’t it?

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: November 19, 2005

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

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands kicked off the second leg of their Asian tour today with an official welcome to South Korea. Queen Máxima topped her Matthijs van Bergen designed frock with a matching folded calot hat, made in the same sand coloured silk linen as her dress. From a distance, the hat looked to be a lovely compliment, allowing the subtle graphic print on the dress bodice to shine.

From a closer view, however, the hat fell flat (quite literally) – its folded construction again took on the appearance of a wrapped head bandage. I suspect this headpiece was meant to be modern, light, airy and a little edgy (to compliment the edginess of the dress) and while it delivered on these accounts, I don’t find it to be particularly pretty when viewed up close. What do you think?

Designer: unknown. It is not a design by Fabienne Delvigne

Photos from Robin Utrecht, Albert Nieboer, Patrick van Katwijk, Patrick van Katwijk, Patrick van Katwijk, and Patrick van Katwijk via Corbis