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Queen Máxima is majestic in fairytale ballgown and rarely-seen glittering tiara

The Dutch Queen wowed at Princess Catharina's first state banquet

1 day ago
Katie Daly
Lifestyle Writer
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Queen Máxima looked like a regal vision when she hosted the King and Queen of Spain alongside her husband King Willem-Alexander at the Royal Palace Amsterdam. 

The Argentinian-born Dutch royal, 52, was seen looking breathtaking in a blue-toned dovetail grey ballgown from Jan Timiniau with a wide neckline and a cinched waist. Her garment had a diamond stomacher from the Stuart Parure attached where the swooping shoulder-skimming neckline met the corset top. 

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands with Princess Amalia, Princess Beatrix and Princess Margriet with King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain at the state banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam© Alamy
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima hosted the Spanish royals

Her dress, which had a regal full skirt, was teamed with an array of beautiful, and historic, jewels. She tied in the shade of her gown with her blue and white sash - the Spanish decoration of the Order of Charles III.

Queen Maxima at banquet raising toast with King Willem-Alexander, King Felipe and Queen Letizia© Getty
Queen Maxima wowed in her blue-grey ballgown

The Queen also wore the most sparkly pair of diamond drop earrings from Queen Wilhelmina's collection and layered glimmering bracelets. The star of the show was undeniably her dazzling  Stuart Tiara, featuring the most captivating teardrop-shaped diamond affixed to the diadem. 

Queen Maxima raising toast to king felipe© Getty
Queen Maxima's tiara was breathtaking

According to The Court Jeweller, the breathtaking crown first belonged to 17th-century monarchs King William III and Queen Mary of England. Upon their death, the tiara was returned to William's homeland, the Netherlands, where it has been kept ever since.

It is rare to see Queen Máxima wear the piece. She last took the fabulous tiara for a public outing in 2018 for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. 

Queen Maxima wearing tiara and sash© Getty
Queen Maxima wore the tiara to the 2018 state banquet at Buckingham Palace

Sitting alongside Queen Máxima in the official photos were their guests King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, as well as the future queen of the Netherlands Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, 20, and Princesses Beatrix and Margriet of the Netherlands. 

Queen Letizia stunned in a design by Spanish firm The 2nd Skin Co.© Alamy
Queen Letizia stunned in a design by Spanish firm The 2nd Skin Co.

Queen Letizia, who is in Amsterdam for a two-day state visit, looked stunning in a cobalt ballgown from The 2nd Skin Co. with a round neckline, bow-adorned sleeves, and a belted waistline. 

Queen Letizia sat down for 45 minutes, the duration of the greeting© Alamy
Queen Letizia sat down as they greeted all the guests

She matched Máxima's regal energy with her own array of jewels including the grand diamond and pearl loop tiara which once belonged to her husband's great-great-grandmother Queen Maria Cristina, as well as Queen Ena's glorious floral-shaped diamond earrings. 

Queen Letizia of Spain attends the official state banquet on April 17, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. © Getty
Queen Letizia's tiara was equally impressive

She decorated her yellow sash of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau with the grey pearl brooch from the Joyas de Pasar collection.

Princess Amalia of The Netherlands attends the official state banquet on April 17, 2024© Getty
Princess Catharina-Amalia made a royal first

Meanwhile, Máxima's daughter stepped out for her first-ever state banquet, looking the picture of a future queen in the tiara from the Ruby Peacock Parure. 

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands welcome King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain with an official welcome ceremony © Getty
Queen Maxima wowed in ruby red

The Dutch Queen looked fabulous throughout the Spanish state visit. She welcomed her guests with an official welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace wearing a splendid ruby red pencil skirt and coordinating blouse from Natan Couture with an unusual chilli-adorned red box clutch from Sarah’s Bag. 

Queen Maxima of The Netherlands welcomes Queen Letizia of Spain in Amsterdam, Netherlands. © Getty
Queen Letizia stood beside her in tweed

She also rocked her bright red Gianvito Rossi heels and the enormous 'Bellissima' hat from Maison Fabienne Delvigne. The Queen also wore unexpected vampy makeup with a deep red lip and dark brown smokey eye.

DISCOVER: Queen Maxima turns heads wearing 'horrifying' spider brooches on her shoulder 

On Thursday morning, the royal stepped out to visit the LAB6 cultural centre alongside Queen Letizia wearing a belted pale mauve coat dress with a statement headband and matching clutch bag.

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