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Nobody took fashion risks like Queen Máxima this year, but they all paid off!

Queen Máxima’s style is always bright and bold, and you can guarantee visual interest in almost everything she wears. If Queen Mary is the style queen of 2025, Queen Máxima’s is the year’s risk taker!

Let’s take a look back at some of her biggest fashion hits.

HOW DRAMATIC ARE THOSE SLEEVES?

The Dutch Royal Family hosts a State Banquet for the President of Finland
The Dutch Royal Family hosts a State Banquet for the President of Finland koninklijkhuis Instagram / Screenshot / Fair Use

Whatever you’re imagining without seeing the photo, double it. The sleeves on Queen Máxima’s scarlet Claes Iversen gown are dramatic. The Dutch queen closed out the year in stately style at the Finnish state banquet in early December with this concoction—and it also doubles as a perfectly festive look!

AN OLD PRO WELCOMES THE NEWEST CONSORT

Queen Maxima welcomes Grand Ducal Couple to the Netherlands
Queen Maxima welcomes Grand Ducal Couple to the Netherlands Grand Ducal Court Instagram Still / Fair Use

Sorry, Queen Máxima, I’m giving the edge to your daughter for best style at Grand Duke Guillaume’s installation in October. But I’ll give you your laurels for this crimson Natan dress and Valentino cape you wore when Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie came to visit the Netherlands. The dramatic hat adds to the win here.

YOU JUST HAVE TO SEE THIS SHIRT

Queen Maxima visit Mind US
Queen Maxima visit Mind US YouTube Screenshot / Fair Use

I can’t think of an appropriate intro for this section. It’s literally just this shirt. It’s not just red, it’s red. And it’s not just red, it’s red mohair. Who else would wear this? I’m drawing a blank, but of course, Queen Máxima being Queen Máxima, she pulls it off!

IT’S CALLED FASHION, LOOK IT UP

Queen Maxima at Dutch Design Week
Queen Maxima at Dutch Design Week YouTube Screenshot / Fair Use

Add this to the ‘who else would wear this?’ file, because Queen Máxima has worn this floral print scalloped coat twice. At least this time, it make sense: it was when the Dutch queen was opening Dutch Fashion Week. Last time it was Prinsjesdag 2023!

SPEAKING OF PRINSJESDAG…

Queen Maxima at Prinsjesdag 2025
Queen Maxima at Prinsjesdag 2025 YouTube Screenshot / Fair Use

The draping on this Jan Timiniau gown was perfection, and the blue of her Berry Rutjes hat complemented it perfectly. Top marks!

MELLOW YELLOW IN CYPRUS

Willem-Alexander and Maxima
Willem-Alexander and Maxima Koninklijkhuis Instagram still/ fair use

How much do I love this yellow floral Natan dress? Answer: a lot! Worn by Queen Máxima in Cyprus during a state visit in March, it was the perfect burst of sunshine to mark the coming of spring.

MELLOW YELLOW PART II

Queen Maxima in Kenya
Queen Maxima in Kenya Koninklijkhuis Instagram still/ fair use

Later in March, when King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima went to Kenya, she wore a brilliant blue top with a yellow floral printed skirt from Claes Iversen. The pieces work so well together!

QUEEN MÁXIMA’S STYLE HITS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Queen Maxima at Czech Republic State Banquet
Queen Maxima at Czech Republic State Banquet YouTube Screenshot / Fair Use

For the purposes of this section, I’m crowning her state banquet gown, a deep red, one-sleeved Jan Taminiau creation, as the winner. But just know that there was a gorgeous white-to-butter ombre dress; a white floral neckline gown; a beautiful green brocade dress; and vintage Valentino to round it all out.

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS is now available.