The President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee are making a state visit to the Netherlands. On the evening of December 12, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima hosted a state banquet at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam in honor of President of the Republic Korea Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife First Lady Kim Keon Hee.
Costarellos Lissie Silk Velvet Gown
Both ladies look elegant. In my opinion, QMax has misplaced the brooch she is using to pin her sash. It looks very odd to be placed at her waist like one would place a belt and pin a brooch to it. I'm sorry to say but I don't this choice. However, the gown is beautiful and she always looks fabulous in the rubies. The Korean First Lady's gown is pretty but I do not like the gloves she's wearing--they are too short. She would have looked better without the gloves. I also wish she had worn an updo. Still, she looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Q Maxima looks fantastic tonight and is the S Korean First Lady. Beautiful Tiara and jewels, I would love to be there. css
ReplyDeleteThe ruby tiara and Maxima’s gown are brilliant together. Great color for her. And her makeup is not interfering with her face. S. Korean President’s wife is lovely. Black gown is somber but definitely elegant.
ReplyDeleteLove the hair, the jewellery is fantastic, the colour is superb. I'm still no fan of horizontal stripes but the dress suits Queen Maxima well on this occasion. I'm afraid the first lady's all black outfit is too sombre for me
ReplyDeleteIn the non-close-up pictures, the shape of Maxima’s tiara reminded me briefly of the Statue of Liberty and now I can’t unsee that. Lol. The rubies are gorgeous, of course.
ReplyDelete-Royal Watcher
The colour is beautiful but I do not like the lace stripes. Never liked this dress.
ReplyDeleteI am sure she wore this dress before. Not one of my favorites
ReplyDeleteI seem to recall that Maxima has recently worn this dress before, or one very similar. I think it was the Greek state dinner, given the name of the designer.
ReplyDeleteNot only does it fit her beautifully but it sets the right tone of not excessive opulence, topped off with that beautiful ruby tiara. The lovely details of the dress and lacework are better appreciated up close than from a distance, and I love that the lacework seems to reflect the pattern on the tiara. Stunning.
First Lady Kim Keon Hee would have looked elegant in full black but to me, the matte of the black fabric (is it silk?) and the black gloves are too sombre. A tiny bit of colour or sparkle would have helped (there is something pinned on her shoulder hidden by her hair). However the cut and design of her gown is beautiful and I'm noticing with keen interest some traditional Korean design details, particularly in the sleeves. I also like the square neckline.
The entire banquet looks to be bright and cheerful, and a lovely evening.
- Anon 9:13
Yes Anon 9:13.
DeleteQ. Maxima wore the dress during her/their state visit to Greece in October 2022.
Agree, it has to be appreciated from close up.
Maxima really knocked it out of the park this time. Her gown is gorgeous but wish it was just a solid claret color that suits her so well. And that tiara and earrings…rubies and diamonds, oh my! The First Lady of Korea looks elegant but the gown is nearly wearing her.
ReplyDeleteThe first lady of South Korea looks half her husband's age but I've read that she's 51 so that obviously can't be the case.!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind Maxima' s dress which is a bit different and I think that we have seen it before.
Does anyone know why Maxima and the king wear their sashes in opposite directions?.
The president is born Dec 1960 ... his wife is born Sept 1972 ... 12 years surely make a difference ...
DeleteJ ai aimé et j aile toujours cette magnifique robe avec des bijoux somptueux qui vont avec
ReplyDeleteFroufrou
Tout de suite, j'ai été séduite par les magnifiques bijoux diamants/rubis de Maxima mais pas du tout par sa robe !
ReplyDeleteQueen Maxima lovely as always in her evening gown and jewelry.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the pink and red sashes mean, I never saw them before.
The first lady of Korea looks like a doll here - really like the cut of this gown - just wish she would opt for color occasionally?
ReplyDeleteHer majesty: Splendid jewels - the rest? No. no. no.
The first lady is wearing black again. BORING!!!
ReplyDeleteQueen Maxima’s dress is a rewear. Last worn in October 2022.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned above, it’s from the Greek fashion house of Castarellos which is based in Athens.
Christos Costarellos is of mixed nationality, German and Greek.
IMO, he is a good designer for Q.Maxama. They are of like minds.
He is also famous for his theatre costume designs and his creations of wedding dresses.
I’ve read that he often turns to Greek mythology for inspiration.
Queen Mathilde has the same gown ( me-too) but in the colour blue.
She wore it in October of this year (2023) for the state dinner of the Portuguese President during his visit to Belgium..
A look at some of Castarellos’s 2024 spring collection for wedding dresses can be seen via …….
https://www.brides.com/costarellos-wedding-dresses-4844647
Women always keep a smile, even when there is nothing to laugh about...
ReplyDeleteSo again dear bloggers, I ask the question. ???
ReplyDeleteWhat is the protocol for jewellery, tiaras etc at state dinners?
I understand, Kings and Queens entertaining other Kings and Queens, can empty out the vaults and dress up and decorate themselves like a Christmas tree.
But when Kings and Queens are entertaining presidents and non royals, or vice-versa, when presidents and non royals are entertaining Kings and Queens, is there a general protocol or does each country have its own rules?
Example, at state dinners, we see the Queens displaying their country's or private riches via jewellery whilst the first ladies, at best, are seen wearing a brooch or earrings.
Hope I get a reply this time.
To my knowledge there are no international protocols on wearing jewellery. I don't even particularly think there's a rule per country. Usually the invitation will simply state the dress code - mostly white tie. That in itself has rules about what to wear in terms of clothes, but tends to leave jewellery and bags "optional". Which means that for most mortals, white tie will mean quality, but also often understated jewellery, whereas royals get to dig in their vaults. I'm assuming that if a country REALLY didn't want to see a certain type of jewellery or colour at a banquet, they'd discreetly communicate that to the guests.
DeleteObviously, most non-royal Heads of State or their spouses do not have state jewellery they could don, a notable exception being Finland's First Lady, who has a State-owned demi-parure at her disposal. Everyone else just picks whatever they have at hand or can borrow - keeping in mind that they are currently representing countries in crisis (cost of living etc.), so while they do have an allocated budget for these things (also hairdressers stylists...), they'll probably make sure to not be boastful and over the top. As for the Royals, there seem to be two common approaches: if a non-tiara-wearing Head of State/spouse is present, they pick one of the smaller pieces in order to not overpower the guest (see for example Mathilde) - or they pick the most historical piece to show respect (see Letizia).
-Nika-
This isn't my favourite look from Maxima, but it's not bad. The tiara and the gown are an excellent match, the pink sash ties in well and her overall styling is pretty. Not a big fan of the brooch placement. And I just can't really get past the fact that the dress looks like a velvet blanket with a crochet hem. I'm not sure if it's the light, but I prefer the more monochrome look in the designer picture.
DeleteI'm equally torn on the First Lady's dress. It's a pretty gown with a very modern cut that I like, but I feel like it overpowers her tiny frame a bit.
-Nika-
Thanks @ Niki. Anon 21:52
DeleteInteresting comments/information.
I think most royals are intelligent enough to dress down a bit with their jewellery, tiaras etc when their guests are not royals, e.g. a president, head of state, chief of government.
As a kid, the rule in our house was that an invited person was important, to be respected and that we didn’t invite them just to show what we had and what they didn’t have, that is, to show off.
Q. Maxima looks beautiful. The gown is unusual, but I do like it, she wears it well. Her parure looks sensational. The tiara and bracelet as well as the bangle looks beautiful. The brooch and pendant, love it! The first lady looks gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWhat's about the King?
ReplyDeletePost a Comment
(We will not publish anonymous comments that were posted without stating a name or nickname)