On Friday, May 29, 2026, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands received her beret after completing the first phase of her military training as a reservist in the Royal Netherlands Army. King Willem-Alexander, Princess Amalia, and Princess Ariane attended the beret presentation ceremony at the Royal Military Academy (KMA) in Breda.
Queen Máxima is serving as a reservist attached to the Military Household of His Majesty the King, through which she is undertaking her training. She will not be assigned to a specific branch, regiment, or corps, but will instead fulfill a general and broad role within the Royal Netherlands Army. For this reason, her beret bears a lion on a ponceau-red background, also known as the insignia of the General Staff.
Jane Wood Lina Blouse
Congrats to the Queen! Nice to have the family there and love the photo with the King and Queen hugging to celebrate.
ReplyDeletedid she really need to take this course, kind of like over shadowing her daughter!
DeleteAgree. The love is visible, which is beautiful.
DeleteToutes mes félicitations à Maxima ; la princesse Ariane est ravissante dans cette blouse !
ReplyDeleteAmazing how Maxima is so down to earth. I really like her genuine personality and fun personality. Also remarkable how versatile she is when it comes to fulfilling multiple roles in the Dutch royalty.
ReplyDeleteLove Ariana’s blouse!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to see a really sweet clip about this event (provided Helen allows me to post the link to it?), here it is: https://x.com/ChristinsQueens/status/2060381748144247231
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link! ~~Ruthie
DeleteThe blouse has been cut shorter than the models. Turns a interesting item into a ordinary item, nothing special to look at
ReplyDeleteActually the hem has not been altered. On another sight you can see that it is as shown in the model. She has the sleeve pushed up and perhaps has tucked in partial which this photo doesn’t show
DeleteAh I see it the other way; the more fitting version looks very neat whereas the version on the model is oversized and bohemian.
DeleteBeautiful dedicated family and a very versatile queen both in leadership and fashion. They send a strong message to the people of the Netherlands.
ReplyDeleteThat message seems to be necessary because there is much criticism among the Dutch people towards this king and Queen consort
Delete@11.44 not true! There popularity is increased. Research showed this last month…
DeleteThis is great. Congratulation to the Queen. She seems to have fun wearing military gear. Nice to see the king and CPss joining in the same outfit.
ReplyDeletecss
Are we all playing military now? What´s Maxima´s role in the military ever going to be? I understand that the regent needs formal training as s/he will at least symbolically lead the country. Same goes for the heir, even if a girl. But the consort? Why? It´s not like Maxima will ever serve.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that´s interesting for me to see here is how Maxima looks without the ton of make-up she usually wears. This still isn´t her natural look, but it´s the least make-up I´ve ever seen her with.
There is a war in Europe, on the fringes of which Ukraine lies and the more you live in the vicinity the more actual that you feel the danger. To estimate the army by taking part in this way sure has a symbolical role. It has nothing to do with actually serving or not. You may know the Late Queen Elizabeth did something similar (she joined the Auxilary Territorial Services). And you may acknowledge that Royal Families in General keep the Veterans of their country in high esteem. So yes, what Máxima does, is important.
DeleteAre you based in Europe? There’s a fair bit of fear here about possible war. In some countries on the border of Russia, esp the small countries, are preparing on a “when not if” basis. The increase in the military photos by royals backs up this that I’ve heard from individuals. If you read the blurb again, Maxima is not in an active role, but in the reserves. That increases her understanding and empathy for others in the role; and can help normalise this preparation in a country (and across Western Europe) where the military has long been in the background. Do I like it? No. I hate that other people’s wars are actively affecting so many people, and I hate the threat. But if the threat is there, preparation is the right response, all the while supporting diplomacy and discussion, which should be the key to human peace.
Delete@01:24, maybe you missed that Sweden joined NATO just two years ago. Not without a reason after so many years. Looking at the map may help.
DeleteI have to agree with Anon09:20 here. While we do wish that the topic of war looming over so many of us (in Europe in particular, but this just might apply to so many other regions as well) was something very distant, something out of tales as old as the world, the reality sadly tells us differently. Therefore, we would like our leaders (and those being figureheads for a nation, like royals just might be) prepared and knowledgeable about things, however unpleasant they might turn out to be. It has unfortunately not much to do with "playing military".
DeleteAlexia wasn't invited..
ReplyDeleteYou got your information from??
Delete5:18 that’s a comment that’s unnecessary
Delete@05:18 - Oh, an insider among us! well aybe just a gossiper.
DeletePrincess Alexia lives in London where she is studying for a Civil Engineering degree.
DeleteLove Ariana's blouse very pretty. Wonderful, congratulations to Queen Maxima fabulous.
ReplyDelete@01:24 totally agree - seems more like an attempt to promote PR than anything `real`.
ReplyDeleteThen also very good!!!!
DeleteSo much ❤️ in the 5. picture
ReplyDeleteSa formation militaire suivie est en tant que réserviste - Si j’ai bien lu, il faut noter que l’insigne arboré sur son béret
ReplyDeletedésigne seulement sa relation au sein l’Etat-major sans aller sur le terrain !
Totally
ReplyDeleteTotally unnecessary training or just for fun?
ReplyDeleteDo you go on military training "just for fun"? Well, usually, most of us in Europe simply don't.
DeleteDoes she really needs to steal the thunder of her eldest daughter?
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly!
DeleteShe’s not! She’s using her position in a positive way. Since she started her training in February there has been a considerable increase (doubling) in the number of job applications at the Ministry of Defence. It’s known as the ‘Maxima-effect’ and is very much needed!
DeleteGood for QM...even having been a fairly decent athlete until I hit 40 not too long ago I would love to try military training but not sure I could - so am very impressed she does this at 55.
ReplyDeleteDespite their position and some criticism i do love seeing this family interact with each other, they seem genuine. Nice to see WA clearly proud of his wife.
Ariane has the most lovely infectious smile.
Amalia looks very striking in uniform - a real future queen indeed.
I wonder what was involved in the 'training' and how much of it did she attend considering all the events she has attended lately which have been posted on this blog.
ReplyDeleteAgree. And if Europe really gets involved in a war I (I am Dutch) I think Willem-Alexander and his family will be off to Argentina where they have impressive real estate !!
DeletePost a Comment