On the third day of their visit to Japan today, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands attended a Food and Agribusiness conference. Queen Máxima repeated her khaki green pleated fabric calot hat, a hat which was clearly custom made to coordinate with her striped Natan skirt. Her hairstyle and drop earrings showcased this hat very well and the colour, which might seem boring to some, provided a quietly elegant contrast against her blonde locks.

Some of you have commented over the past few days that Máxima’s characteristically vibrant style has overwhelmed the pastel-clad Japanese royals; I think this hat today was a better bridge between these polar opposite styles. What did you think of this pleated calot hat today in Japan?

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: February 13, 2014

Photos from Robin Utrecht, Albert Nieboer, Robin Utrecht, Robin Utrecht, Robin Utrecht, and Robin Utrecht via Corbbis

King Felipe of Spain and Queen Letizia paid their introductory visit (the first since becoming Spanish monarchs) to the Dutch King  and Queen today. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima welcomed their Spanish friends this morning at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. I expected Queen Letizia would forgo a hat today and was therefore surprised when Queen Máxima did not.

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Queen Máxima repeated her purple wool ‘slice’ picture hat with sharply upturned brim around one side of the hat. I adore the gentle wave on the lower side of the brim and love how all the drama from this hat comes from the form instead of the trimmings. And who doesn’t love a queen in a purple hat?! I suspect some of you will quibble about the colour clash between this hat and Máxima’s dress but I suspect any mismatch we detect may an issue of lighting and fabric sheen (as you can see from the way the dress photographs so differently in the  following photos). My issue is the necklace, which looks like a medieval torture device. There were times in history where such displays of weaponry warned visiting monarchs not to mess with their hosts and while I suspect this was not the case today (!), I think this necklace was an odd choice that tragically, detracted from the beautiful hat.

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Designer: Fabienne Delvinge
Previously Worn: March 19, 2014; November 12, 2013

Queen Letizia did not wear a hat. The Spanish royals show us time and time again that they are not a hat wearing bunch and while I thought today might coax even a small hat onto Letizia’s head, it was not to be. So far, we have only seen Letizia wear hats for major royal weddings where the dress code clearly required a hat and I suspect that trend will continue.

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These four monarchs were clearly delighted to see one another and it appears that a lovely visit was in store. What did you think of Queen Máxima’s hat today (and Queen Letizia’s lack of hat?!)

Photos from Getty as indicated; Patrick van Katwijk and Patrick van Katwijk via Corbis

Queen Máxima of The Netherlands attended a symposium in Amsterdam this morning marking 40 years of the protection of women against domestic violence. For this engagement, she repeated her scarlet wool felt Garbo style hat with narrow leather band and bow around the crown. I adore this hat! The slightly floppy shape lends an air of informality and effortlessness, which makes this hat look all the more chic. I can’t think of anyone who does red better than Máxima and while a red hat and dress could easily be an assault to the eyes, I think this combination works so well. What do you think of this scarlet combination?

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: November 8, 2013

Photos from Getty as indicated