Queen Maxima married King Willem-Alexander in 2002, and her diamond wedding tiara is still sparkling on their daughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia. The 22-year-old future queen of the Netherlands borrowed her mom’s diadem for a state banquet on June 9, and combined with a cornflower blue gown, the Dutch Star Tiara shined just as bright as ever.

Princess Catharina-Amalia, known as Amalia, paired Queen Maxima’s star-trimmed tiara with a new Rachel Gilbert gown. The crystal-trimmed, sleeveless dress coordinated perfectly with her headpiece and she added a pair of silver Aquazzura sandals to the outfit.

The Dutch royals gathered to celebrate German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's state visit to the Netherlands, with Amalia posing for official portraits with her mother, father and uncle Prince Constantijn.

Tuesday night wasn’t the first time Princess Amalia wore her mother’s wedding tiara. The royal borrowed the Dutch Star Tiara for her tiara debut at Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway's 18th birthday party in 2022, and she’s also worn it for another state visit in 2024.

Amalia has a penchant for borrowing from her mother's closet, like when she wore Maxima's burgundy Valentino cape, clutch and shoes last November.

As for Queen Maxima's outfit, she repeated a beige Jan Taminiau gown covered in an intricate floral and bird pattern on its skirt, pairing it with the Dutch Sapphire Parure Tiara. The massive diamond design, which dates back to 1881, features 33 sapphire accents and fits perfectly with the Dutch queen's bold sense of style.

She paired it with the set's matching bracelet and earrings, pinning the sapphire and diamond brooch at her waist.

The future queen of the Netherlands, Princess Catharina-Amalia, has already been the subject of threats on her life, and on May 4, a suspect will appear in court after he was found with two axes and a threatening note targeted at the royal and her younger sister, Princess Alexia.

Amalia, 22, and Alexia, 20, appeared to be the targets in a terrifying murder plot, with the Associated Press reporting that a man “was allegedly in possession of two axes in early February with the words ‘Alexia’, ‘Mossad’, and ‘Sieg Heil’ carved into them.” Mossad is Israel's national intelligence agency and “Sieg Heil” refers to a Nazi salute.

In addition to the weapons, the suspect “allegedly had a handwritten sheet with the words ‘Amalia’, ‘Alexia’, and ‘Bloodbath’” written on it, per the Associated Press.

Their younger sister’s name, Princess Ariane, did not appear in the note. The princesses are the daughters of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, and Princess Amalia is next in line to the Dutch throne.

The future queen has faced other serious threats in the past and was forced to go into hiding in Madrid after she was targeted during her undergraduate years at the University of Amsterdam.

"No student life for her, like other students have. I'm very proud of her and how she keeps it all going," Queen Maxima told Dutch news outlet AD (via Hello!) "It makes me a bit emotional. It's not nice to see your child live like that. She can go to university, but that's it."

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is well-known for her fearless fashion sense, never shying away from a bold design or neon color. The 54-year-old Queen dazzled in shimmering hot pink for the annual Diplomatic Gala in Amsterdam with a very special choice of royal jewels to finish the look. Amongst a sea of black tails, her fuschia gown glowed.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima hosted over 140 dignitaries at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam to celebrate “Politics and Administration” between Amsterdam and Brussels. While the theme sounds less-than-riveting, Queen Maxima’s ruffled, shimmering gown brought a spark to the evening. Royal fashion fans might recognize this tiered gown, designed by Belgian design house Natan. Queen Maxima first wore the gown over 19-years-ago to celebrate then-Crown Prince Willem-Alexander’s 40th birthday.

Princess Catharina-Amalia, their daughter and the current heir presumptive, was practically a toddler when attending her father’s birthday celebrations. Fast-forward to today, and the little princess looks more like the future Queen. One day, they’re wearing little leather Mary Janes, and the next, they’re borrowing your priceless tiara. For the Diplomatic Reception, Queen Maxima wore a tiara that is said to be Princess Catharina-Amalia’s favorite.

The Ruby Peacock Tiara was commissioned in 1897 by Schurmann & Co. Originally designed as a parure consisting of a tiara, necklace, and stomacher, the set is most often seen as a towering tiara. The design was meant to replace a larger, heavier tiara and has been worn by Dutch royal women at key historic events over the years. To really bring a royal punch to her gown for the Diplomatic Reception, Queen Maxima wore the tiara and the matching necklace.

In her official biography, Princess Catharina-Amalia admitted, “I love tiaras.” Over the years, she became familiar with the royal tiaras she saw on friends and family. “Show me a tiara, and I'll know where it came from. I can recognize all the tiaras of Europe.”

When your mother is the Queen of a European nation—and has the wardrobe to match—you take the opportunities where you can. “I used to put them on from my mother. Then, there would be [another tiara] on her make-up table and I would have it directly on my head."

Orange might be a tough color to pull off, but no one does a tangerine hue like the Dutch royal family. While the British royals are known as the Windsors, the Netherlands is home to the House of Orange-Nassau, and King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Princess Catharina-Amalia have been showing off their best patriotic gear at the 2026 Winter Olympics this week.

Mom, dad and daughter all matched in bright orange Fila Team NL puffer coats at the opening ceremony in Milan on Friday night, and they've been keeping the team spirit going ever since.

Heir to the throne Princess Catharina-Amalia, who is known as the Princess of Orange, has been styling her vibrant coat with brown Adidas Handball Spezial sneakers and jeans, while mom Máxima gave her jacket a regal upgrade on Sunday.

The Dutch queen, who wore a new brown Massimo Dutti sweater vest, crisp white shirt and a brick red Massimo Dutti suede skirt, carried her Fila puffer as she arrived to watch the 5000m speed skating finals on February 8.

She accessorized with a classic quilted red Chanel bag and Team NL scarf, stopping to dole out hugs to Queen Sonja and King Harald of Norway, who were on hand to support Norwegian skaters at the event.

Meanwhile, King Willem-Alexander has been wearing an old school orange and black varsity jacket, sporting the same coat to take in the team figure skating event on Monday, February 9.

On Monday, the Dutch king and queen also watched Jutta Leerdam of Team Netherlands win gold after breaking the Olympic record in the speed skating women's 1000m event—a proud moment for Team NL.

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Princess Catharina-Amalia, the future queen of the Netherlands, marked an important milestone in her military career in January, and now her mother is following in the family's Army tradition. On February 4, the Dutch royal family announced that Queen Máxima has enlisted as a part-time reservist in the country's Royal Army.

"Queen Máxima has started training to become a reservist for the Royal Army today," the palace's Instagram post read. "She registered because, like other reservists, she wants to contribute to the safety of the Netherlands."

A statement from the Royal House of the Netherlands further explained that the 54-year-old queen chose to enlist because "our security can no longer be taken for granted." Her decision comes as many European countries are strengthening their military defenses and also preparing for a future where U.S. support may be less automatic than in the past.

"Reservists play a crucial role in supporting the military," the palace continued its caption. "Now Queen Máxima has the rank of soldier. Upon completing her education she will be awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel."

The age of 55 is the cut-off for enlisting, and the Royal House noted that this "played a role" in Queen Máxima's decision to sign up now. While other royals around the world routinely receive military training, enlisting as a queen is an incredibly rare move, especially as Máxima, who was born in Argentina, isn't Dutch.

The palace notes that "like other reservists, she will deploy where needed," with photos of the queen showing her aiming a gun, rappelling down a wall with a rope and jumping into a pool in full uniform.

On January 23, Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander's eldest daughter, Catharina-Amalia, completed her general military training and was promoted to corporal. Her proud mom was on hand at the ceremony, snapping photos with her phone and running over to give the future queen a long hug.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary on Monday, February 2, and the glamorous Dutch queen brought back some sentimental jewels for the occasion.

Máxima wore her diamond wedding earrings as she joined her husband for an engagement in support of Oranje Fonds, the philanthropic organization that was established to honor their 2002 royal wedding.

She accented her pear-shaped diamond drop earrings, which feature a flower-shaped stud at the top, with a new gray cape dress by Vanessa Seward x Beggxco and black knee-high boots.

Oliver Hobart, jewelry expert and creative director at wholesale jeweler 925E, tells Marie Claire that Máxima’s wedding earrings made "a quietly powerful jewelry statement" at the event.

"We often see milestone anniversaries marked not by new acquisitions, but by archival pieces," Hobart explains. "It signals confidence and emotional security. You don’t need novelty when legacy already exists."

He continues that rewearing wedding jewelry is "a deliberate return to origin—a visual reminder of commitment, continuity and personal history expressed through design."

Elaborating on the cluster-and-drop design of Máxima's earrings, Hobart says this style is "often chosen for wedding jewelry because they frame the face with light while maintaining movement."

"The upper cluster provides presence and heritage styling, while the drop adds fluidity and grace," he explains. "It’s a combination that reads as ceremonial without feeling heavy."

Even though the Dutch royals were attending a daytime charity event, the diamond drop earrings felt perfectly appropriate for the occasion.

Hobart tells Marie Claire that the design feels "refined, not ostentatious," adding, "That restraint is what makes the gesture credible. Anniversary jewelry should feel anchored, not theatrical."

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has never been afraid to go bold when it comes to fashion, and that extends to her incredible jewelry collection. The Dutch queen showed her fresh approach to jewels on January 13 when she welcomed diplomats to the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, wearing both modern gold styles with more traditional gemstone pieces.

For her New Year's reception at the palace, Máxima chose regal jewel tones, wearing a green Natan dress with a royal blue coat and green clutch by the Belgian fashion house. While her bright green emerald earrings surrounded by diamonds are the type of gemstones you expect to see on a royal, she paired them with some more contemporary pieces.

Queen Máxima revealed a diamond bracelet featuring her family's initials stacked with a yellow gold bangle and another delicate bracelet as she posed on a staircase with husband King Willem-Alexander.

"What stands out here is how deliberate the wrist styling feels,” says jewelry expert Justin Daughters, Managing Director at Berganza, calling the queen's "trio of mixed-metal chain bracelets" both "modern and quietly luxurious."

“Stacking bracelets on her dominant wrist adds movement and informality," the jewelry expert continues. "It softens the formality of royal dressing and reminds us that not all royal jewelry needs to rely on gemstones or heritage pieces."

Daughters adds that "the interplay of yellow gold, white gold and possibly platinum or steel offers a sort of neutral jewelry palette" to her outfit, rather than competing with her bold dogwood flower brooch or emerald earrings.

The Dutch queen pinned her Luz Camino dogwood brooch to her green dress, with the fanciful floral piece described as a piece of "couture fantasy" by Daughters. He adds that the brooch "is jewelry theater: delicate, sculptural and intentionally asymmetric."

Máxima finished off her outfit with green Gianvito Rossi leather pumps, wearing her hair pulled back and sporting minimal makeup.

“Viewed together, the brooch and bracelet stack allow Máxima to bridge couture tradition and modern styling," Daughters says. "The result feels effortless, editorial and refreshingly non-ceremonial."

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January might be in full swing, but that doesn't mean bundled-up outfits have to take over. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, for one, broke out her best ice-hued ensemble on January 12 when she hosted a New Year's reception at Amsterdam's Royal Palace.

Joined by husband King Willem-Alexander and mother-in-law Queen Beatrix, the Dutch queen repeated a tie-neck baby blue blouse and matching satin skirt by Natan Couture in a video shared by the palace on YouTube. She first wore the outfit for a Christmas concert in 2023, and has since worn the skirt on three other occasions, both with its coordinating blouse and on its own.

The outfit brings to mind the icy blue Winsor London blouse that Princess Kate wore for a 2022 visit to Northern Ireland, as well as the pastel cape coat she wore for a 2019 trip to the country.

Máxima paired her outfit with another Kate-approved item, wearing powder blue pumps by one of the British royal's go-to shoe brands, Gianvito Rossi. Queen Mary of Denmark and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway also own the same baby blue shoes, which feature a towering four-inch heel.

In terms of jewels, Queen Máxima accessorized with the same jewelry she first wore with the Natan Couture outfit: a sparkling moonstone and diamond necklace and earrings.

According to royal jewelry blog The Court Jeweller, the Dutch queen first wore this set in 2013. While it's unknown if the blue gems are sapphires or tanzanites, the elaborate suite of jewels features multiple cuts of stones in its statement necklace and dangling earrings.

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There are few brands that are universally beloved by royal women around the world, and one of them is London-based Me+Em. I first became a fan of the label when Princess Kate wore a pink Me+Em shirt dress to meet a childhood cancer patient during the pandemic, and since then, it seems like everyone has embraced the British retailer.

From Duchess Sophie to Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, royal women consistently show up in Me+Em for busy days of attending charity events, meeting fans and representing their countries in style. Pieces like tailored trousers and dresses with clever zip-up detail are cut for both fit and function, with the brand focusing on the concept of "intelligent style."

Princess Beatrice, Princess Madeleine and Queen Mary of Denmark are particularly fond of the brand, and just as I was writing this story, the Princess of Wales debuted a new burgundy Me+Em blouse during a surprise appearance with Prince William.

With so many royals flying the flag for Me+Em, I decided it was time for the Marie Claire team to see how the brand's pieces translate to everyday life. Each of us chose to come up with our own twist on a royal outfit—in Brooke's case, using an exact jacket worn by Queen Máxima—and put Me+Em's pieces to the test this January.

Kristin Contino, Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

I've always been a fan of Princess Kate's elevated country casual looks, and when the Princess of Wales visited Scotland last year, I was immediately drawn to her brown blazer paired with a pale blue shirt. While her pieces weren't from Me+Em, I found a similar jacket in their collection, along with the prettiest blue blouse. For me, it's the perfect casual outfit with that extra bit of sophistication.

The brand's skinny jeans aren't as tight as I expected (they fit more like a straight jean on me), so if you're not a fan of the painted-on silhouette, they'll definitely work for you. The beautiful lace detail on Me+Em's blouse takes this shirt to the next level, and the gorgeously tailored military jacket is an investment piece that I see myself wearing for years to come. Although it sadly sold out in the sale, I've linked to a similar blazer, below.

Julia Marzovilla, Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Princess Diana stays on my moodboard, so I jumped at the chance to try one of her most memorable looks. This houndstooth jacket is a little out of my comfort zone—I normally wear all-black—but I trusted Me+Em not to lead me astray. I own a few pieces from the brand already, and I love them. That being said, I opted to make Diana's look more day-to-day relatable by going with black trousers instead of a full-on patterned skirt like the princess wore for Christmas 1990.

Shockingly, once I tried the whole outfit together, I loved the pants the most. I’m on the shorter side so the hem was a little long, but I found the pleats to be really flattering and the fit really comfortable. A win-win!

Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor

A sparkling tweed jacket isn’t typically the kind of thing that fits my minimalist style, but when you have the chance to look like a (literal) queen, you take it. As soon as I threw it on, I felt like royalty—it’s impossible not to when you’re wearing a structured jacket complete with shimmery threads. It’s undoubtedly a power piece that’s perfect for an instant boost of confidence.

Although Queen Maxima styled her jacket with the matching jumpsuit, I went with the Tapered Pant for a more laidback, but still elegant look. Sadly, they were a bit too long for my 5’4” frame, but don’t let that dissuade you—their subtle barrel-leg silhouette is incredibly cool. All in all, this is exactly the kind of outfit I would wear if I suddenly became a royal: polished statement pieces with just a touch of cool-girl edge.

December has been quite the month for tiaras, with everyone from Princess Kate to Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden stepping out in dazzling royal jewels (and show-stopping evening gowns to match). On Thursday, December 11, the Dutch royal family joined the ranks of this month's best-dressed, with King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Catharina-Amalia welcoming the president and first lady of Finland for a state banquet.

Queen Maxima has never been one for minimalism, but Princess Amalia outdid even her glamorous mother in terms of jewels on Thursday night. Amalia, who is heir to the Dutch throne and known as the Princess of Orange, wore a beige Jenny Packham ballgown with a plunging front, accenting the modern dress with numerous historic diamond pieces from the royal vaults.

She wore the Dutch Diamond Bandeau Tiara, a headband-style piece featuring massive round diamonds that dates back to Queen Emma, who received it as a wedding present in 1879. Per The Court Jeweller, the tiara features more than 100 carats of diamonds and was originally a necklace. In the 1930s, Queen Wilhelmina turned her mother's necklace into a tiara, and today, it's one of Queen Maxima's most-worn tiaras.

Along with Queen Emma's tiara—which Amalia wore for the first time on Thursday—she also wore the incredible necklace that her great-great-great grandmother, Emma, received as a wedding gift. According to The Royal Watcher, the late queen received a diamond stomacher (essentially, a huge brooch) and diamond riviére necklace from the Dutch people when she married King Willem III of the Netherlands.

The whopping 30-carat pale yellow diamond at the center of the stomacher can be removed and worn as a pendant with the necklace, like Amalia did, and Queen Maxima styled it in the same way as her daughter when she attended her mother-in-law Queen Beatrix's abdication banquet in 2013.

As for Queen Maxima, she went with a pearl theme, wearing a five-strand pearl necklace and the Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara, an intricate design that was created for Queen Wilhelmina in 1897 and worn by Queen Beatrix on her wedding day in 1966.

Maxima added some extra drama with her bright red gown, with the off-the-shoulder Claes Iversen style featuring balloon sleeves and a belted waist.

When your mom is a queen, there's endless options for designer clothes and jewels to borrow from, and Princess Catharina-Amalia often takes inspiration from her mom, Queen Maxima. Whether it's wearing her mother's tiara or sporting the same emerald green evening dress that both her mom and grandma once wore, Amalia is an expert at royal recycling. But on November 19, the future queen of the Netherlands took so much inspiration from her mom's outfit that she stole the look just a day later.

Queen Maxima welcomed Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg to The Hague on November 19 while wearing a burgundy Valentino cape that's been on heavy rotation in her wardrobe since 2021. She wore the cape zipped up with the sleeves of her red Natan Couture dress peeking out, styling it with an oversized maroon Fabienne Delvigne hat. Queen Maxima finished off the look with burgundy Gianvito Rossi pumps and a snakeskin Sophie Habsburg clutch.

But fans were treated to a mixup of the look when Princess Catharina-Amalia stepped out on November 20 in the same cape, clutch and shoes, but styled completely differently than her mom. And although she stopped short of stealing the same dress Maxima wore on Wednesday, Amalia did borrow another one of her mom's red dresses—the same one the queen previously wore with her Valentino cape in 2021.

For her outing at the special session of the States General in The Hague, the Princess of Orange wore her mom's cape unfastened and draped around her shoulders, showing off a lipstick red Natan shirt dress underneath.

She carried the same burgundy clutch Queen Maxima wore for Wednesday's appearance along with the same burgundy pumps, which coincidentally are also on frequent rotation in Princess Kate and Queen Mary's royal wardrobes.

Instead of wearing a hat, Catharina-Amalia wore her blonde hair down in loose waves, adding a pair of Lott.Gioielli gold button earrings and cinching her waist with a slim belt.

Thursday isn't the first time the princess has borrowed her mom's cape in recent memory. Amalia wore the Valentino piece to Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stephanie's inauguration in Luxembourg last month, marking their ascension to the throne after Guillaume's father, Grand Duke Henri, abdicated.

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Whether it's a neon coat or a dazzling tiara, Queen Máxima never fails to make a bold fashion statement—and she brought back a favorite fuchsia dress to open the Tilburg Trade Fair on Tuesday, October 7. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the event, the Queen of the Netherlands chose a Barbie-esque Oscar de la Renta dress that she’s worn several times over the past seven-plus years, bringing a pop of color to the city of Tilburg.

We first saw this cheerful dress in 2018, when King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were on an official visit to the United Kingdom. While visiting London, Máxima wore the pink frock for a photo moment with Duchess Sophie—who was then styled the Countess of Wessex—and the clever choice of outfit stood out amongst the gray London backdrop.

Crafted from a soft wool blend, the dress features contrasting black leaf-patterned sequin embroidery, long sleeves and an A-line silhouette. Queen Máxima wore the pink look again to attend the Nibud Jubilee Congress in 2019, pairing it with a Philip Treacy hat and a pair of shoulder-sweeping black statement earrings.

The most iconic royal women know the power of a bold dress, and Queen Máxima is the perfect example. Similar to the late Queen Elizabeth, choosing bright colors and designs ensures that she can be seen in the biggest of crowds.

In the 2016 documentary, The Queen at 90, Duchess Sophie explained, “someone wants to be able to say they saw a bit of the Queen’s hat as she went past.” She added, “[a queen] needs to stand out for people to be able to say ‘I saw the Queen'.”

Queen Maxima’s style can best be described as bright, bold, and risk-taking, with Tatler describing her as the most fashion-forward royal woman. Whether it’s a pink dress that’s lived in her closet for nearly a decade or a caped jumpsuit, the Queen of the Netherlands knows how to stand out.

Princess Catharina-Amalia's future plans might include becoming queen of the Netherlands (casual), but on Monday, July 14, she looked like any other 21-year-old as the Dutch royal family shared some graduation snapshots of the royal on Instagram. The Princess of Orange—who goes by Amalia—wore an off-the-shoulder burgundy dress with a classic black graduation cap as she beamed in photos following her commencement ceremony at the University of Amsterdam.

The past, present and future of the Dutch monarchy was represented in a photo from the graduation, with Amalia's grandmother, Princess Beatrix—who abdicated the throne to Amalia's father, King Willem-Alexander in 2013—joining the king and Queen Maxima for the happy event. The Princess of Orange's sisters, Princess Ariane—dressed in a tan Max Mara suit—and Princess Alexia—wearing a white shirt and black Maje skirt—were also present at the graduation.

Amalia broke her arm after falling off her horse earlier this summer, and the resulting surgery has altered some of her educational plans.

"The Princess of Orange’s final manuscript 'Beyond Disclosure: Bridging the Gap Between the Artificial Intelligence Act and the Charter of Fundamental Rights with Deepfaked Bodies' deals with an investigation into the tensions between European fundamental rights and AI legislation," the royal family wrote on Instagram. "Due to the Princess's broken arm, one subject has been postponed. The Princess of Orange will therefore receive her bachelor's degree until later."

Earlier this month, the royal family announced that Amalia would continue at the University of Amsterdam in the fall to take on a new bachelor's degree in Dutch law. She'll also take part in the Defensity College's program to become a military reservist. However, her broken arm will impact the physical activities she can take part in for the moment.

"Due to the recent fracture in her arm, she cannot participate in all physical components right away," a statement from the royal family read. "Amalia will start with that after recovery."

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima's eldest daughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia, has a bright future ahead as the heir to the Dutch throne, but for the moment, the 21-year-old is carrying on with her studies. This week, the Dutch royal family announced the Princess of Orange will be taking on a bachelor's degree in Dutch law and will also train to become a military reservist—but the royal's recent horse accident will prevent her from taking part in some of these activities.

On Monday, June 30, Princess Catharina-Amalia—who had surgery for a broken arm on June 10 after falling off her horse—joined her parents along with sisters Princess Ariane, 18, and Princess Alexia, 20, for the family's annual summer photo call. The event was postponed from its original June date following the Princess of Orange's accident.

Per a statement from the palace, Catharina-Amalia—who goes by Amalia—is nearly done with her bachelor's degree in politics, psychology, law and economics at the University of Amsterdam. In the fall, she'll begin another bachelor's degree in Dutch law at the university and will also attend the Defensity College to become a military reservist for the next two years. However, her arm injury will slightly alter her entry into the program.

"Due to the recent fracture in her arm, she cannot participate in all physical components right away," the statement read. "Amalia will start with that after recovery." It's unclear how long it will take for the Princess of Orange—who is an avid equestrian—to fully recover from the surgery.

The princess appeared in public for the first time after the accident on June 18, joining King Willem-Alexander for a military event while wearing her arm in a sling. During the family's summer photo call, Amalia's arm was covered in a large bandage, but she didn't let that stop her from making a fashion statement.

The princess wore a wore a cropped, backless green floral blouse by Danish brand Rotate Birger Christensen, pairing it with white jeans, Celine sunglasses and green Adidas sneakers.

As for her future studies, the palace added, "The goal of Defensity College is to offer students a meaningful side job during their studies and to increase the visibility and connection between the armed forces and society."

While many royal watchers focus on the Brits when it comes to style, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands has long stood out on the global stage. The wife of King Willem-Alexander is known for her no-holds-barred approach to fashion, and this week, the Dutch royal turned heads yet again at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands. Although her hilarious impersonation of Donald Trump made plenty of headlines, the Dutch queen's enviable fashion also got the internet talking.

Maxima, 54, made a show-stopping appearance in a custom lime green Natan Couture jumpsuit as she joined world leaders during the summit. The plunging, sleeveless outfit featuring cape-like sleeves stood out in a sea of business suits, and her choice of a Natan Couture design is hardly surprising. Belgian designer Édouard, baron Vermeulen has been responsible for many of her standout outfits for the past 20 years, mixing bold colors with regal silhouettes that deliver plenty of dramatic flair.

But as reported by the Daily Mail, the real foundation of the Dutch queen's glamorous appearance is a high-protein, low-carb diet. She reportedly follows a diet popularized by Dutch company New Fysic—one that's also favored by Sarah Ferguson—and avoids sweets and starches in favor of nutrient-dense meals.

She complements this with regular exercise like Pilates, swimming, strength training, long walks and bike rides. As for her beauty routine, Queen Maxima trusts her golden hair to Martina Stanislavova of La Martina salon and stylist Elles Nijkamp, with some sessions taking place right in the royal family's private hair salon at Huis ten Bosch Palace.

It turns out hair extensions and subtle hairpieces are part of Maxima's trademark voluminous updos, especially her signature side buns.

And while it's not shocking to see Queen Maxima dripping in diamonds, including Dutch royal heirlooms, she takes a similar approach as the Princess of Wales when it comes to the high street. Maxima doesn't shy away from mixing affordable costume jewelry with designer duds, like the bold white Zara flower earrings she wore in her 50th birthday portrait in 2021.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands might be known for her bold, fashion-forward looks, but this week she's making headlines for quite a different reason. The Netherlands hosted its first NATO summit with all of the expected pomp and protocol, but Queen Maxima quickly went viral thanks to a brief but hilarious moment with President Donald Trump on Wednesday, June 25.

A video captured Trump chatting with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, thanking them for the hospitality at Huis ten Bosch Palace. Just as the president says "thank you," Maxima turns away and does a spot-on impression of Trump speaking.

An Instagram post sharing the clip was titled, "The more I watch Queen Maxima of the Netherlands mock Trump's mouth, the funnier it gets 🤣🤣," and social media users couldn't help but weigh in on the moment. "She did let her intrusive thoughts in, and I can appreciate her for it." one Instagram user wrote, while another added, "Am I watching a scene from the Office? 😂"

"I’m on Season 7 of this video" another Instagram user joked, while one added, "Gotta love a queen with a great sense of humor."

However, not everyone was loving the Dutch queen's playful mimicry. "How mature and royal of her," one commenter wrote, while another added, "The disrespect is disgusting."

Known for her charisma, warmth and sometimes outrageous sense of style, Argentinian-born Maxima has long been beloved for her down-to-earth personality—making her candid moment with Trump not entirely unsurprising.

Viral impersonations aside, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima welcomed leaders from 32 countries to The Hague, including everyone from French president Emmanuel Macron to Britain's prime minister, Keir Starmer.

Growing up in the public spotlight is a struggle for many members of royal families, but the future queen of the Netherlands, Princess Catharina-Amalia, has faced more challenges than many of her contemporaries. While other future monarchs like Prince William and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium have been enable to enjoy relatively normal college experiences, the Princess of Orange had her world turned upside down in 2022.

Princess Catharina-Amalia, 21—more often called Princess Amalia—is the eldest daughter of King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima, making her the heir to the Dutch throne. At just age nine, Princess Amalia became the Princess of Orange—the title given to the monarch's heir-apparent—when her grandmother, Queen Beatrix, abdicated in favor of Amalia's dad, King Willem Alexander.

The future queen has lived a relatively "normal" and private life with her two sisters Princess Alexia, 19, and Princess Ariane, 18, enjoying plenty of regal pursuits like horseback riding, tennis and playing the violin. She was even dubbed "the cocktail queen" after working a summer job at a beach bar.

But shortly after enrolling at the University of Amsterdam in 2022, the young royal faced a terrifying prospect. As the BBC reported at the time, "Princess Amalia - and the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte - are understood to have appeared in organised crime communications, which indicated they may become a target."

The princess was living in student housing at the time and was forced to move back home with her parents in The Hague. Understandably, it was a difficult time for the family, not only due to the kidnapping scare and increased security presence, but because Amalia was robbed of her university experience.

"No student life for her, like other students have. I'm very proud of her and how she keeps it all going," Queen Maxima said in a candid interview with Dutch news outlet AD (via Hello!) ‘It makes me a bit emotional. It's not nice to see your child live like that. She can go to university, but that's it."

In April 2024, it was revealed that Amalia had actually been secretly living in Spain and studied in Madrid for more than a year. "In the Spanish capital, she had more freedom of movement," Dutch outlet NOS reported, noting that the princess "was having a very hard time" in the Netherlands. "I miss normal life, the life of a student," she said in a 2023 interview, via NOS. "Walking through the streets, being able to go to a store."

Princess Amalia returned to Amsterdam in 2024 to finish her education at the university, where she's studying politics, psychology, law, and economics. Per NOS, "the threat has not disappeared, but she can live and study in the Netherlands again" thanks to unknown "measures" that were taken.

On April 7, 2025, Amalia returned to Madrid to dedicate a special tulip garden she gifted to the city. "Madrid is like a second home to me, especially in a time that was difficult in the Netherlands," she said at the event, via Tatler. "In this very Dutch way, I want to thank everyone who took care of my safety and well-being in Madrid."

Now Princess Amalia has been able to settle back into her studies and life in Amsterdam—she's pursuing a degree in politics, psychology, law and economics—as well as the occasional royal duty. On April 26, the poised princess joined her parents and sister Alexia for King's Day festivities honoring King Willem-Alexander's birthday, and earlier in the month, she donned a diamond tiara for a state visit from the Sultan of Oman.

Amalia has proven to be a thoroughly modern princess, turning down her $1.8 million annual income until she becomes a full-time working royal and praising the benefits of therapy. "If I need it, I'll make an appointment...talking to a professional every now and then is quite normal," she said in her authorized biography, via the BBC.

Although it will likely be decades before Princess Amalia takes the throne, the Netherlands does have a history of abdication, unlike Britain—her father was just 46 when Queen Beatrix abdicated in his favor. But whenever the Princess of Orange's time comes, the crown appears to be in more than capable hands.

"If I can avoid a bad situation through diplomacy, then I have made the world a little bit better, I'm happy," she said.

Princess Catharina-Amalia made a sparkling statement at the royal palace in Amsterdam on Tuesday, April 15, wearing a gorgeous lavender gown and a set of ruby and diamond jewels to a state banquet for the Sultan of Oman. And if her massive tiara looks familiar to royal fans, it's because the future queen of the Netherlands once modeled it in a photo as a 9-year-old princess playing dress-up in her mom's room.

Catharina-Amalia, 21, joined her parents King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at the glamorous event, wearing the Mellerio Ruby Parure Tiara. The intricate design dates back to 1888, per The Court Jeweller, and has been worn by Dutch queens and princesses ever since. Princess Catharina-Amalia's mom wore it for her first official portrait as queen, and in 2021, released a photo of her then-9-year-old daughter trying on the tiara.

The adorable photo was released to celebrate Catharina-Amalia's 18th birthday, when an official biography about the future queen's life was published.

"I love tiaras," she said in the book. "Show me a tiara, and I'll know where it came from. I can recognize all the tiaras of Europe. I used to put them on from my mother. Then there would be one on her make-up table and I would have it directly on my head."

Princess Catharina-Amalia kept the ruby theme going with matching ruby and diamond drop earrings and a coordinating brooch pinned on to her sash.

As for the rest of her outfit, she wore a caped gown by royal-approved brand Safiyaa London. The 21-year-old isn't the only future queen who has recently stepped out in a purple Safiyaa dress; Kate Middleton wore a bright lilac midi dress by the brand to the 2024 Wimbledon men's finals. Meghan Markle also wore a similar caped style by Safiyaa, but in red, to one of her final public appearances as a senior royal before moving to California.

Meanwhile, Queen Maxima wore an even grander tiara to the banquet that certainly lives up to its name. The 53-year-old was positively dripping in diamonds and pearls for the event, wearing the Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara with a five-strand pearl necklace and dangling pearl drop earrings.

The queen matched her jewels to an equally ornate ivory dress, wearing an embroidered gown by Mahpara Khan.

When it comes to the British royals, we're not often treated to a tiara moment, but luckily, the Europeans do bust out the jewels a bit more frequently. Tuesday, Dec. 10, however, was an especially dazzling day, as both the Swedish and Dutch royals attended major events that required equally major diamonds.

The Swedish royal family takes part in the Nobel Prize ceremony each December, and as usual, they pulled out all the stops in the tiara department. Queen Silvia led the way, wearing a show-stopping diamond tiara trimmed with sapphires known as the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Tiara, per The Court Jeweller.

She chose to wear the piece's matching earrings and brooch (the tiara is part of a suite of jewels dating back to 1810), but left the set's enormous necklace at home. The Swedish queen kept the sapphire theme going with a blue sequined gown and the most gorgeous twisted updo I've seen in a long time.

The heir to the throne, Crown Princess Victoria, went for a glittery pink Christer Lindarw gown with a sheer black overlay, pairing it with her go-to Baden Fringe Tiara. The all-diamond piece is laid out in a fringe design, somewhat similar to the one Queen Camilla recently pulled out of the vaults for the Qatari state banquet in London, and Victoria wore the tiara with pink topaz and diamond drop earrings to go with her gown.

Princess Madeleine—who recently moved back to Sweden from Florida with husband Chris O'Neill and their daughters—stunned in a sparkling green off-the-shoulder Fadi El Khoury gown with a dramatic train. Her tiara is perhaps my favorite of the night, the Connaught Diamond Tiara.

Its looped designs feature flower-like diamonds and dangling diamond drops, and the tiara can actually be worn as a necklace, too—as The Court Jeweller pointed out, Madeline wore it this way to the 2016 Nobel event. She brought out the green in her gown with sparkling emerald and diamond earrings and a matching brooch.

Last but certainly not least, Prince Carl Philip's wife, Princess Sofia, looked incredible in a royal blue gown by designer Soeren Le Schmidt; per UFO No More, it was a bespoke piece she wore for a recent Vogue Scandinavia shoot. Sofia chose to wear her wedding tiara, which is a clever diamond piece that can be customized with different stones at the top.

For the Nobels, the princess—who is expecting her fourth child in February—chose to use London blue topaz accents to go with her gown, and she wore matching topaz and diamond drop earrings.

Moving on to the Netherlands, the country's royal family hosted a state visit for the president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa—and the Dutch ladies brought out some gorgeous diamond tiaras for the occasion.

The ever-fabulous Queen Maxima looked glamorous in a diplomatic gown, choosing a scarlet hue to represent one of the colors of the Portugese flag. She paired the patterned Jan Taminiau style, which she's worn on previous occasions, with a huge ruby and diamond tiara.

The piece comes from the Mellerio Ruby Parure, a set of jewels that was given as a Christmas gift to the Netherlands' Queen Emma in 1888, per The Court Jeweller. For the banquet, Queen Maxima also wore the set's matching earrings, bracelet and three-strand necklace.

And rounding out the group was Princess Catharina-Amalia—the country's 21-year-old future queen—who glittered in the prettiest periwinkle gown. The cape-style Tadashi Soji design was covered in sparkling sequins, and she wore the dress with the same diamond star tiara her mother wore on her wedding day.

As for the rest of her look, she brought out even more bling, wearing a massive diamond necklace and bracelet along with glittering drop earrings. A look fit for a future queen, indeed.

Ask a group of makeup artists what’s responsible for a flawless base, and you’re bound to spark a debate. Some believe that success lies in skincare; others will tell you that the foundation formula alone is all you need. There’s also a camp of pros that swear by the best primers. They tout the ability to blur pores, smooth fine lines, and grip foundation. The worthwhile ones do just that. But, do they make enough of a difference to warrant adding another product to a beauty routine?

“Primers are not a complete necessity,” says celebrity makeup artist Ehlie Luna. “But, if you have certain things you want to address, like texture, longevity, or finish, they can be worthwhile.” A high-quality primer for the right candidate can create a smoother canvas on acne-prone individuals, neutralize a red complexion, and even mattify oily skin.

Whether you’re a devout believer in the powers of primer or want to see if the hot-button item is worth your while, read ahead. Top makeup artists are sharing everything you need to know—and their favorite picks—ahead.

What Is a Primer?

By definition, primers were designed to prime your skin for makeup application. “The ultimate goal of all makeup primers is to prolong the longevity of your makeup look,” says celebrity makeup artist Natalie Dresher. I love to describe it as a double-sided tape for your skincare and makeup,” adds celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa. “It locks in the skincare and then creates a barrier so that makeup does not settle into large pores and texture on the skin.”

Do I Really Need a Primer?

Primer isn’t really a need—it’s a want. Your makeup will be just fine without it, but the best primers can offer plenty of benefits. Their goals are hyper-specific to skin concerns and conditions. “For people who have larger pores, there are pore filling primers, there are primers that temporarily smooth fine lines, or primers that really grip makeup.” You’ll find color-correcting primers, hydrating primers, and mattifying primers—the options are seemingly endless.

That said, sometimes skincare alone does the trick. “While primers are great for making the makeup last all day and creating a smooth base for the skin, having great skincare prep will help your makeup look smooth on the skin,” says Luna. Some tinted sunscreens will have a silicone-like texture that creates a smooth base, certain moisturizers are color-correcting by design, or equipped with skin-blurring properties.

The Best Primers

• The Best Primer Overall: Milk Hydro Grip Primer
• The Best Mattifying Primer: One/Size Secure the Sweat Mattifying Primer
• The Best Hydrating Primer: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
• The Best Color-Correcting Primer: PUR 4-in-1 Correcting Primer
• The Best Blurring Primer: YSL Touche Eclat Blur Face Primer

Also Recommended

How to Pick the Best Primer for Your Skin Type

Skin type plays a major role in proper primer selection—unfortunately, there’s no universal product that works for everyone. “We always have to consider our particular needs and not get caught up in what our friends are using,” says Luna. Someone with dry skin may want a hydrating primer, someone with oily skin should seek out a mattifying primer, and someone with combination skin might decide to cocktail their primer products on different areas.

Sensitive and acne-prone skin types should also make a point to avoid dimethicone, as it can be an irritating ingredient. “It can clog the pores, which can trap dirt and cause breakouts,” adds Figueroa.

Should Primers Be Water-Based or Silicone-Based?

The best primer for you depends a lot on not only your skin type, but also what foundation you use. “A silicone-based primer doesn't work well with a water-based foundation because it can cause separation,” explains Figueroa. Silicone-based primers however are better for smoothing texture or mattifying the skin.

Meet the Experts

There is a royal family crossover moment happening this week, as the Spanish royals visit the Netherlands for an official visit with the Dutch royal family. Last night, at a state banquet honoring King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands shared an adorable story about meeting his wife, Queen Maxima, in Spain—Seville, specifically—that melted hearts.

“Spain has a special place in our hearts,” Willem-Alexander said last night during the glamorous banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. “First of all, because it was in your country that our life together began. We were at the Feria de Abril in Seville 25 years ago. The sparks began to fly. The rest is history.” As he recounted their meeting, this “prompt[ed] a big smile from Queen Maxima,” People reports. 

Then the future king, Willem-Alexander met Argentinian-born Maxima Zorreguieta in April 1999—a quarter century ago this month—where the first in line to the throne introduced himself simply as “Alexander.” Maxima, who was then working in banking in New York City, reportedly didn’t believe him when she learned later that he was the heir to the Dutch throne. The two began dating, announced their engagement in March 2001, and married in Amsterdam in February 2002; Willem-Alexander became king in 2013 after his mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicated the throne.

Willem-Alexander continued in his speech at the diplomatic dinner that his visits to Spain always felt “warm” for him and his wife, as well as his eldest daughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia, who was there last night. Catharina-Amalia is the future queen of the Netherlands and is the eldest of Willem-Alexander and Maxima’s three daughters.

The monarch further thanked Felipe and Letizia for their part in making it possible for Catharina-Amalia, 20, to safely study abroad in Spain recently, after security threats prevented her from continuing to live in student housing at her university in Amsterdam. “Last year, circumstances required her to live in Madrid,” the king said. “From there, she was able to continue her studies at the University of Amsterdam. This was made possible by the kind efforts of many of your compatriots and yourselves. A touching demonstration of friendship at a difficult time. I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to you and to everyone else who helped arrange this.” (Felipe and Letizia themselves share two daughters; their eldest, Princess Leonor, is a future queen, as well.)

Catharina-Amalia’s presence at last night’s state banquet marked her first appearance at such an event. For the occasion, “she shimmered in the Ruby Peacock Tiara—which might be her royal go-to, as she’s worn it twice before, both times to royal weddings,” People writes. (Catharina-Amalia—whose title is the Princess of Orange—first wore a tiara at Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway’s 18th birthday gala in 2022; for that event, she wore the same tiara her mother, Maxima, wore at her 2002 wedding.)

Following Willem-Alexander’s address, Felipe stood to give his remarks, where he spoke about the special relationship between Spain and the Netherlands—and acknowledged two future queens, Catharina-Amalia and Leonor. “We hope these days may contribute to reinforce even more deep bonds between two societies that look together towards a prosperous future,” he said. “So do our parliamentary monarchies as we go together towards that future, hand-in-hand with two women of their generation, Princess Amalia and Princess Leonor. Deeply committed to their nation, and their people.”

Felipe—who took the throne in 2014 after his father, King Juan Carlos, abdicated one year after Willem-Alexander’s mother did the same—then invited guests to raise a glass, and circled back to how Willem-Alexander and Maxima met in Seville “25 years ago, around this particular time of the year” at the “famous Feria de Abril,” which brought wide smiles to their faces, People reports.

“We therefore toast to that personal and emotional connection to our country so it will always remain and flourish, as it has since then,” Felipe concluded.

The Spanish royals are on their second day of their two-day visit to the Netherlands today.

When in Paris—Queen Máxima of the Netherlands joined France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron for an exhibition at Musee Des Arts Decoratifs wearing a gown that looked like a piece of artwork itself.

The two women attended the “Iris van Herpen Sculpting the Senses” exhibition last night, with Máxima stealing the show in a stunning shimmering gown by Dutch designer Iris van Herpen, the woman of the hour. The floor-length dress featured a high neck and cape, dazzling embroidery, and a shimmering full skirt.

Both Máxima and Macron attended the event in the French capital without their respective partners, King Willem-Alexander and Emmanuel Macron. As Máxima stepped out of her car to greet Macron, “Brigitte seemed to gesture towards Máxima’s jaw-dropping gown in acknowledgement of her style prowess,” The Daily Mail reports. (Join the club.)

Earlier in the day, Máxima was in Rotterdam, Netherlands for a royal engagement, where she braved off the chill in a camel-colored wool Max Mara coat she has worn on a number of occasions. Underneath her outerwear was a red dress, and she kept the color consistent with a matching hat and pumps in the same shade.

Undoubtedly one of the most glamorous royals globally, Máxima is an Argentinian by birth and had a career in marketing when she met Willem-Alexander in 1999 (she thought he was joking when he told her he was then heir to the Dutch throne). They married three years later, are parents of three daughters, and ascended to the throne when Máxima’s mother-in-law, Queen Beatrix, abdicated the throne in 2013. 

The Order of the Garter ceremony is a staple in the royal diary annually. This past Monday was the first time the ceremony was held since 2019, thanks to COVID—and this year, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, was made a Royal Lady of the Garter. (According to The Mirror, the Order of the Garter was founded by Edward III in 1348 recognizing contributions to public service. Members of the Order include the Queen, several senior royals, and 24 other Knights or Ladies, all personally chosen by the monarch for recognition of their work. To non-royal followers, it’s the day where the royals take part in a procession wearing can't-miss-it regal velvet robes and plumed hats.)

Back in 2019, not only were members of the British Royal Family in attendance, but the King and Queen of both The Netherlands and Spain attended the service. Camilla and Kate Middleton—two future Queen Consorts—watched the ceremony alongside two current queens: Queen Maxima of The Netherlands and Queen Letizia of Spain.

And Kate, The Mirror reports, was so lost in conversation with Maxima that they almost missed an important part of the procession. That’s when Camilla stepped in and tapped Maxima on the arm to remind both ladies to face forwards while the parade passed, lest they miss it. Sophie, Countess of Wessex, also quickly took her place in the lineup next to Letizia.

“Kate Middleton was spotted deep in conversation at the Order of the Garter ceremony in Windsor in 2019,” the outlet reports. “And if it wasn’t for Camilla’s reminder, she might have missed an important part of the event.”

Why were foreign monarchs at a very British event? The Mirror says, “some foreign monarchs are also in the Order, but are known as ‘Stranger’ Knights. These include King Felipe of Spain and King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands.”

Other than the Queen and Camilla, British royals that are in the Order include Prince Charles, Prince William, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.

It’s a really big deal that Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee this year. The milestone, marking the monarch’s 70 years on the throne, is a first in British history, and parades, a four-day bank holiday, and tons of other events are planned throughout the year to honor her. But while things don’t officially kick off until February 6, the anniversary of the Queen assuming her title, the events are already sparking controversy for the royal family. 

The issue has to do with the tradition in which, during her Jubilee, the Queen awards medals to those who have served the crown. According to Express UK, there are nearly 400,000 medals that will be handed out this year. Among those receiving honors will be front-line healthcare workers, members of the royal household who have been in service for at least a year, and recipients of the George and Victoria Cross, the highest military honor in the country. Which all seems very nice!

But it’s the decision to reportedly present awards to members of the royal family that raised red flags for some spectators. In particular, the question of whether the Queen will give out medals to disgraced royal Prince Andrew and non-working royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has caused a stir. While the decision to give medals to Harry and Meghan seems pretty innocuous, especially since the Queen will reportedly pay for the medals to her own family herself rather than relying on British taxpayer money, it’s the one to Prince Andrew that seems to be behind one royal expert calling the Jubilee a “fiasco-in-the-making.”

In an opinion piece for News.com.au (as noted by Express), royal expert Daniela Elser questioned the choice to give out the medals to the lightning rod royals. “The symbolism of this move, that despite everything that has happened over the last two years Andrew, Harry and Meghan will all get the same official nods of thanks as frontline healthcare workers, is nothing short of disastrous," Elser wrote.

The Jubilee will likely see even more controversy as things move forward. Already there are concerns about what will happen during the Queen’s parade, when she traditionally stands on a balcony surrounded by members of the royal family. Whether that group will include Andrew, or even Harry and Meghan, is still in the air. 

Couple this major public celebration with the fact that Prince Harry’s reportedly fiery memoir has been slated for release later this year, and the news that the civil case brought against Prince Andrew will proceed, and 2022 is already shaping up to be a tricky year for the royals to navigate.