Queen Maxima of the Netherlands’ fearless style: how the Dutch Queen lit up her look with daring fashion paired with bold jewellery
- She wore the Stuart Tiara to Buckingham Palace – complete with a central diamond that once belonged to King William II – but isn’t afraid to go all high street
- For the anniversary of King Willem-Alexander’s inauguration, the former Wall Street banker wore the Dutch Sapphire Parure Tiara from 1881
Considered one of the most popular European royals, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands always appears in public and at official events with an endearing smile that sets her apart from the continent’s mostly reserved aristocrats. The concept of “50 is the new 20” seems apt for her, for despite reaching that milestone age in May, she still often infuses her outfits with a sense of playfulness.
To create her distinctive but never over-the-top looks, she is willing to take fashion risks and go for the unconventional. For instance, Queen Maxima is known as the first queen to embrace pantsuits for royal engagements. She is also not hesitant about wearing “high-street” fashion. Even for some official occasions, she eschews a royal tiara for elaborate headdresses, like when she accompanied the king at his annual speech at the opening of the Dutch Parliament in September 2018.
Projecting a highly approachable image, she is a “queen for the masses”, her working wardrobe featuring practical yet elegant outfits. On a state visit to India in 2018, she was photographed in a simple navy blue dress when interacting with dabbawalas (lunchbox delivery men) in Mumbai. The selection of jewels was superb: powder blue and dark blue gemstones echoed the colour of her outfit, while the long necklace of baroque pearls gave a flavour of Eastern exoticism.
In vivacious green for spring, on a visit to a culinary workshop in early 2018, Queen Maxima displayed her signature flair for colour coordination, accessorising her viridescent dress with earrings and a brooch encrusted with green gemstones and diamonds.