Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 18-24 September

Here's what Máxima wore from 18-24 September:

1. Attending the baptism of Princess Margarita's daughter Paola, 18 September (Margarita is Willem-Alexander's cousin).
2. a) Prinsjesdag, 20 September, with b) a close up on the beadwork.
3. Receiving a book of poetry and attending the premiere of a musical, 21 September.
4. Opening the World Music Contest, 22 September. A sparkly delight repeated from the Qatar state visit.
5. In Washington, D.C. attending the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings, 23 September. Well, I suppose if anyone can pull off the double animal print, it's Máx...

You really can't see what she wore for outfit 1 but it doesn't matter because Holland's next top models were in the house:

Werk!

Photos: Profimedia/Dutch Photo Press/PPE/Nieboer/Getty Images/Daylife

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 24-30 April

Here's what Máxima wore from 24-30 April:

1. Arriving in London, 28 April, a) on Máxima and b) from NATAN. Oh, this is kind of a hot mess. I mean, great color on Máx, but it does not travel well. (Apparently.)
2. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding, 29 April. Definitely my favorite from the week.
3. Queen's Day, 30 April, a) with cardigan, and b) without. Maybe for an indoor occasion, sans wind...

Photos: Hola/Getty Images/Daylife

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 10-16 April

Here's what Máxima wore from 10-16 April:

1. Princess Ariane's first day of school, 11 April. I much prefer the kicky boots on any of the girls to Máxima's over-the-knee NATAN affairs. Too much, especially with the print, and the Run DMC necklace.
2. The welcoming ceremony during the first day of the state visit to Germany, 12 April, a) the beautiful purple dress on it's own and b) with the shawl, which ties in the pink hat and shoes perfectly. Fantastic. Just...love.
3. A second outfit for Day 1 of the visit, 12 April. This repeated outfit I could do without. The top looks as though she accidentally shrunk it in the wash. And the hat...well, it takes a lot of woman to wear horns without supporting your local sports mascot.

4. State banquet, 12 April. By all accounts, I should love this repeated gown. I mean, hello, drama. But instead I think it's just a wannabe maternity gown with Christmas garland for trim.
5. Day 2, 13 April, a) on Máxima, and b) from Valentino. I was wondering which one of our Valentino lovers would break into this collection first, because there's a lot there that could look like a little girl's party wardrobe from 1976. I think she handled it well; it's a fun dress, just like the wearer.
6. Attending the circus on Day 3, 13 April. Ah, bliss! This is perfect princess gear.

7. At a performance of the Dutch Royal Concert Orchestra in Berlin, 13 April. Hey, it's a dress AND a canvas for some delicious emeralds! Win.
8. a) Day 3, in Dresden, 14 April. Look, the World Cup suit comes with its very own smushed disco ball hat. I still like the suit, but that's a giant no on the headgear. We also get to see now the ornamentation (b) which may have been added straight from the hardware store. Crafty.
9. Day 4, in Essen, 15 April. Elegant in beige, but a bird flew right into the side of her head.
10. Day 4, second outfit, 15 April. And a pink turban (which is one of those things that I think only Máx could pull off) ends a fantastic state visit. Definitely making up for the other visits so far this year that didn't live up to my expectations!

Best and Worst of the Week

Oh, but what a good week! After the state visit got rolling, that is. Outfit 1 is my worst by far. Outfit 2, on the other hand, is divine. A lot of candidates for best this week, but the unique combo of pink and purple wins it for me.

Now, we can't leave a state visit without giving Beatrix some love:

(click the picture to enlarge, as always)

I'm a fan of the first blue outfit on arrival - yay for a belt that gives Bea some shape! - and I find myself surprisingly a fan of the second evening gown, which looks a little bit like another paisley wonder but is luxurious enough to pull it off. I am not a fan, on the other hand, of the first evening gown at the state banquet, which is trying to be a flamenco dress but is not succeeding. (It's not Spain, it's Germany, Bea!)

I am a fan of the bling, though: Beatrix in the Württemberg Ornate Pearl and Máxima in the Diamond Bandeau. One big, one small, both delicious.

Best part of a state visit: gratuitous tiara shots.

Now, you: favorites? Least favorites?


Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Dutch Photo Press/Reuters/AP Photo

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 6-12 March

Here's what Máxima wore from 6-12 March:

 

1. Private visit in Oman, 8 March. Sleek and chic, no complaints here.

2. Chanel jacket worn while leaving Oman, 9 March. This picture is from a previous appearance, at the United Nations in September. I mean, if I was going to splash out for something from Chanel, I'd get something a little fancier than this, something a little more unique. But I suppose Chanel isn't a splash out for this Princess, so she'll get a pass for good fit and good color.
3. Arriving for the state visit in Qatar, 9 March. Well, you know I love a lil' sparkle. Don't quite understand the baggies attached to the chest and hips, but still: this is my favorite outfit of the visit. It's all pulled together and matched and everything. Plus, in a pinch, the hat can double as a disguise for the Princess on the run.

Only a royal could pull this off, and I'll tell you why: you've got to have someone on staff solely devoted to keeping you from running into things. Otherwise, you'll have a potential diplomatic disaster on your hands.
4. Visits in Qatar, 9 March. As seen previously.
5. Dinner in Qatar, 9 March. In certain photos, I wasn't a fan, but now that I've digested it...I like it. Simple, but a great color, and statement earrings to finish it off.

6. Visits in Qatar, 10 March. Granny shoes + bug sunglasses = my pick for worst of the week.
7. Another engagement, 10 March. As seen previously. Classy headgear, I must say. And I don't mind this outfit, though it does have a maternity flair to it.
8. Concert, 10 March. Well, look at this: I whined and whined on Prinsjesdag that there were no tiaras to be had, and now Máx turns up to show me what I was missing. AND she busts out Tiara #13 to boot. Well, well. What should I complain about next, guys? It's working.
9. Leaving Qatar, 11 March. Repeating outfit 7? Really? You think she ran out of packing space due to all the hats?

Best and Worst of the Week

Like I said, the gold with the crazy hat gets my best and the bug-eyed black and cream gets my worst. You know, this was a very monochromatic visit. Pink, pink, pink. I like a bolder color scheme for Máxima, myself.

Beatrix was all over it, though:

She's somehow managed to cram a whole lot of variety in there, even though each one is really the same Beatrix outfit as always. (Would we even recognize her if she changed it up? Probably not.)

One Beatrix complaint, though: the Paisley Wonder has ridden again.

And hey, it's Sheikha Mozah! Yay! I like to think she's got icicle boots on under there or something. It's more fun that way.

What'd you make of the Dutch state visit, hmm?


Photos: Dutch Photo Press/Hola/PPE/Nieboer