Queen Maxima of the Netherlands proved that fashion trends come and go, but it's all about how you style your clothes that counts.
On Thursday night, she joined her husband King Willem-Alexander as they hosted a dinner for the Diplomatic Corps at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. With around 140 ministers, members of parliament and more high-ranking diplomatic guests invited, Maxima put her sartorial expertise on full display in a bright Barbie pink gown from one of her go-to brands, Natan.
Despite the fact that many royals avoid exposing too much skin, Maxima opted for a decolletage-exposing, strapless gown with a tiered, column skirt made up of lace and satin ruffles.
An item taken from her style archives, the dress was first worn by Maxima for her husband Willem-Alexander's 40th birthday in 2007, and again in 2024 for the wedding reception of the King's goddaughter Countess Leonie von Waldburg-Zeil-Hohenems and her husband Count Caspar von Matuschka in Hohenems Castle.
The feminine look was complemented by her accessories, which included a sparkly silver bag, matching heels and a hot pink shawl.
© UK Press via Getty Images
© Getty ImagesHowever, it was her colour-clashing ruby tiara and necklace – two of the three parts of the Ruby Peacock Parure – that were the true show-stealers.
Tiara history
The story goes that Queen Emma of the Netherlands asked Schurmann & Co. to turn rubies from Queen Sophie into a tiara, necklace and brooch in a peacock tail design for Queen Wilhelmina in 1897.
When the Dutch royals visited Queen Wilhelmina on Queen Beatrix's 18th birthday in 1956, Wilhelmina surprised everyone by bypassing the birthday girl and handing the jewellery to Beatrix's younger sister, Princess Irene.
She was pictured wearing the ruby jewels on several occasions, including for the wedding gala of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands in 1967. After Irene's divorce in 1981, it was decades before the tiara re-emerged in the public view in 2009, when Maxima debuted it for a gala to celebrate the Swedish state visit.
Styling colour in your 50s
© GettyThe 54-year-old has developed a reputation for embracing eye-catching colours and patterns, never shying away from a bold fashion moment.
According to style expert Nicky Hambleton-Jones, of Channel 4’s 10 Years Younger, and Drop A Decade on ITV’s This Morning, the royal offers a masterclass in how to use colour to your advantage in your 50s.
Speaking of its age-defying tricks, she previously told Best Quality Designer Handbag : "Simply wearing colour is instantly more youthful - it brightens your complexion, lifts your mood and boosts confidence.
"Any colour that makes you feel good will automatically make you look younger. I’m often asked what the magic ingredient is when it comes to looking younger, and my answer is always the same: confidence. Confident people naturally have a more youthful energy."
