Queensday 2013: Style File

WHAT? Abdication

WHERE? Royal Palace, Amsterdam

WHEN? April 30

This tuesday was an memorable and historic day in my country. We welcomed our new king, Willem-Alexander, as his mother, Beatrix, ended her reign.

Maxima was looking fabulous for her first public appearance as our queen. The short, airy dress with an exaggerate bow detail on the shoulder is from fashion house Natan and was designed by Belgium designer Edouard Vermeulen. The fabric was powder pink gazan, which she got from her mother-in-law. The bottom part of the dress is semi-sheer embroidered silk with crystal sequins. 

Upon the abdication, princess Catharina-Amalia, on the left, bacame the Princess of Orange (the first in our history) and heir to the Dutch throne. Along with her sisters Alexia and Ariane she wore a yellow jaquard dress with a boat-neck collar, a ribbon at the waist and fastened down the back with crystal buttons, the skirt enhanced with a flounce of tulle, the matching headband was crowned with a flower. The dresses are from the Spanish children's luxury fashion company Pili Carrera.   

WHAT? Abdication State Dinner

WHERE? Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

WHEN? April 29

On monday was the farewell dinner of Queen Beatrix in the Rijksmuseum. The gala was held in the Hall of Fame of the museum. The Queen sat in front of the famous Night Watch.

 Princess Maxima looked outstanding in this Valentino Couture fall 2006 red strapless gown with tiered ruffles and an embellished waist. The jewelry included a diamond bandeau tiara, a diamond necklace and bracelet. She completed the look with a matching scarf and satin cluutch.

Fun fact: Maxima wore this gown before on Prince Charles's birthday dinner back in 2008.

 Princess Mabel, on the left, looked quirky as always in her fully fringed Viktor & Rolf custom gown inspired by a dress from the spring 2007 collection. She styled the look with a smaller version of the Mellerio Sapphire Tiara, which was her wedding tiara. 

Princess Laurentien was looking great as well in a soft blue dress with three-quarter sleeves and a chic bow brooch on top. Pinned up hair with the Aquamarine Tiara and a silver clutch made her outfit complete.

Princess Victoria of Sweden in a purple Elie Saab gown with a satin rosette.

Princess Mette-Marit of Norway wore a floral gown of the spring 2013 collection by Giambattista Valli.

Princess Mathilde of Belgium in an assymetrical light-colored satin gown. Most probably by Natan.

Princess Letizia of Spain in a black embroidered lace gown by Felipe Varela.

 Crown Princess Mary of Denmark in an off-shoulder blush gown with an embellished bodice and satin waistband by Birgit Hallstein.

Crown Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg looked marvellous in a fully embellished light-blue gown by Elie Saab. 

WHAT? Inauguration
WHERE? Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam
WHEN? April 30

The official ceremony in which king Willem-Alexander took the oath, in the Nieuwe Kerk.

 Queen Maxima exceeded all expectations in her royal blue dress by Dutch designer Jan Taminiau. He was widely praised for his design. The floor-sweeping gown of silk crepe and chiffon with delicate embroidered motifs was slightly covered by a matching cape draped over her shoulders. 

For the inauguration the three princesses changed into royal blue dresses and mathing hair bows designed by Natan. Just like their grandmother who also wore a beautiful blue dress by Sheila de Vries.

Royal guests:

Princess Mabel wore another creation of designer duo Viktor & Rolf. A simple black dress with a very striking white bow accented sleeve, a symbol that refers to the absence of her husband Prince Friso.

Princess Laurentien wore a striking red robe with a matching hat.

 Princess Aimee borrowed the maternity gown of (then) princess Maxima.

 Princess Marilène in a beautiful fuchsia lace dress by Natan with a matching hat and clutch. 

 Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, in a light-blue long-sleeved gown by Bruce Oldfield with a Philip Treacy feathered hat.

 Princess Mary in a Charlotte Lunggaard kimono-inspired gown silk gown with floral print on the skirt and waist.

 Princess Victoria in keyhole dress by Escada and a flower-accented Philip Treacy hat.

 Princess Letizia pale-blue lace Varela gown with sheer sleeves. She coordinated the look with a Maria Nieto hat. 

 Princess Sarah in a beautiful embellished lilac lace dress with matching headscarf. 

 Princess Mathilde in a sugary pink dress by Natan.

 Princess Mette-Marit in a custom made Valentino gown. Her fall 2013 white-and-blue gown with beaded embroidery was presented on the runway as a mini dress. The collection was inspired by portraits of Dutch masters and had references to, for example, tulips and Delft ceramics.

 Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Missned wore a navy ensemble with matching cape of the spring 2013 collection by Valentino Couture.

WHAT? Water pageant + inauguration party

WHERE? IJ, Amsterdam

WHEN? April 30

Maxima in another custom made piece by Jan Taminiau. The burgundy-and-nude lace gown was embellished with crystals and roses by Maison Lesage. Due the cold she added a wine-colored shawl. To finish the look she wore the diamond stars of her wedding tiara scattered through her hair. 

left to right: Mabel, Victoria, Sheikha Mozah, Mette-Marit, Mathilde

Some of the guests of the inauguration party:

Princess Mabel once again in Viktor & Rolf. Her two-toned dress with yet another bow was from the spring 2013 collection. 

Princess Victoria wore a shiny gold with a cropped fur jacket.

Sheikha Mozah in another Valentino Couture gown, this time from the spring 2013 collection. A matching turban and an embellished waistband added extra glamour to her silver gown.

Princess Mette-Marit in a mint-green gown she also wore to her own wedding. She completed the look with a contrasting light-pink jacket.

Princess Mathilde in a cream embellished (Natan?) gown with sheer sleeves. She carried a matching feathered clutch.

WHAT? Inauguration Brunch

WHERE? Royal Palace, Amsterdam

WHEN? May 1

To close off all the festivities, a brunch was held at the royal palace. For this occasion Maxima looks lovely in a pink coat/dress by most likely Natan.

WHAT? Official portraits by Koos Breukel

WHERE? Royal Palace, Amsterdam

WHEN? earlier in April

 Queen Maxima in a beautiful burgundy gown by Natan. It was striking that she didn't chose to wear a new dress.

 Maxima wore the high-necked dress before in 2011 and on Prinsjesdag last year.