Historic tiaras, chic safari looks and military moments

In 2025, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands once again proved why she is Europe’s most unpredictable and entertaining royal. This year, we saw her don a military uniform and get muddy during an official training, attend institutional events in tailored bermudas and studded loafers, wear an Indiana Jones–worthy hat all day during a public engagement, and appear with a historic tiara in what looked more like a sports hall than a ballroom. 

Between state visits, international summits, and official engagements, her wardrobe created moments that go far beyond aesthetics, gestures, statements, and scenes that only someone with her confidence and flair for drama could pull off.

A historic tiara:

One of the year’s most talked-about moments came during the state visit to Suriname. Upon arriving in Paramaribo, the royal couple was honored with an official dinner hosted by President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons. 

The setting, far from traditional palatial elegance, was surprisingly functional, more of a multipurpose space than a formal ballroom. Yet Máxima decided to do the opposite.

For the occasion, she wore an orange silk dress with a deep neckline and a flowing cape that added a theatrical flair. The elegant, commanding design deliberately contrasted with the environment. Brown Natan sandals and a relaxed updo completed the look, though the real showstopper was the jewelry.

On her head rested the Dutch Diamond Bandeau tiara, one of the most historic pieces in the Dutch royal collection. Originally created in 1879 as a diamond collar for Queen Emma and transformed into a tiara in 1937, it is a piece intimately tied to the country’s history and people.

A modern Queen in Indonesia:

If any outfit left observers both puzzled and impressed, it was Máxima’s ensemble during her official visit to Indonesia as a UN special envoy for financial inclusion. In a formal context where traditional suits remain the norm, the Queen appeared in tailored black bermudas and micro-studded loafers.

Yes, bermudas. On a queen. At an official event. The black-and-white outfit was completed with a black bell-sleeve blazer, an architectural staple in her wardrobe, and a white shirt. No earrings, no brooches, no rings, it was a deliberately minimal choice that highlighted the daring bermudas. Only a burgundy manicure added a splash of color.

The Queen goes military:

Another standout moment came when she appeared in camouflage during training with the Royal Marechaussee in Harderwijk. No dresses, no jewelry, no frills. Máxima donned the military uniform and actively participated in exercises alongside the personnel.

Far from symbolic, the scene was fully real, featuring boots, tents, technical briefings, and a tour of the facilities. 

This gesture reinforced her engagement with the Armed Forces and produced one of the most unexpected images of her recent reign.

Chic safari in Kenya:

During the state visit to Kenya, Máxima revived one of her most evocative looks, a paisley-printed blouse-and-skirt set by Etro, coordinated with a raffia belt and matching hat. 

The setting, the Naivasha Lake animal sanctuary, demanded appropriate attire, and the Queen did not disappoint.

She accessorized with animal-inspired Cartier jewelry, featuring a vintage elephant ring, a bracelet featuring eleven pachyderms, and large wooden hoops. The images looked straight out of a movie.

Lime Green at the NATO Summit:

At the gala dinner during the NATO summit in The Hague, while most attendees opted for dark, understated tones, Máxima appeared in a lime-green silk jumpsuit by Natan. With a V-neckline, batwing sleeves, and palazzo trousers, the design was impossible to overlook, and intentionally so.

The look was completed with historic jewelry. Queen Emma’s diamond heron brooch and the Dutch East Indies bracelet. Modernity and tradition conversed in a single ensemble, at one of the year’s most important diplomatic events.

Indiana Jones moment:

Another detail that caught attention was her insistence on keeping a brown hat on throughout her attendance at the PUM Impact Awards in The Hague. 

Paired with a sleeveless red Natan dress and cape, the accessory evoked an adventurous, almost cinematic aesthetic. Finally, during an official lunch with the Sultan of Oman, the Queen surprised with a yellow feather necklace and matching earrings, paired with a structured burgundy dress. In this ensemble, the hat took a backseat to an accessory impossible to ignore.