On Tuesday, 15 September 2026, the Senate and House of Representatives met in a Joint Session of the States General at the Royal Theatre in The Hague. King Willem-Alexander delivered the Speech from the Throne during the Joint Session. Queen Máxima, Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia, Princess Ariane, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands attended the Joint Session.
Prinsjesdag is the day on which the opening of the Dutch parliamentary year takes place on the third Tuesday of September. On that day, the reigning monarch of the Netherlands traditionally delivers the Speech from the Throne at a Joint Session of the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives. After the Speech from the Throne, the Royal Family went to Noordeinde Palace, where the traditional balcony appearance takes place.
For the occasion, Queen Máxima wore the sash and star of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion with an off-white taffeta silk skirt. She paired it with a black blouse.
Princess Amalia wore the sash and star of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion with a green straight dress featuring draping and a matching cape by Rachel Gilbert.
Princess Alexia wore the sash and star of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion with a long dress in a green shade, featuring a flowing two-piece cape by Reiss.
Princess Ariane wore the sash and star of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion with a ruby-red column dress made of wool crepe, featuring an embroidered tone-on-tone cape by Jan Taminiau.
I realize Prinsjesdag is a challenging dress code for the royal ladies, but this seems like a rather motley assortment of outfits this year. I think Ariane’s dress, headpiece, and overall look are by far my favorite. Maxima’s jewelry is exquisite, but her blouse looks too casual to me and her headpiece is very odd. Alexia’s hat style does not pair well with her dress. Amalia looks poised and her hair is gorgeous, but her dress color is not my favorite. Laurentien - no, just no to the shirtwaist dress and headpiece. The men seem to have a much easier, more straightforward dress code for this.
ReplyDelete-Royal Watcher
Agree in everything you wrote
DeleteTotally agree with your description. I'll just add that not only Alexia's hat doesn't pair well with her dress but also her handbag.
DeleteAgree that Princess Ariane wins first place but I think Queen Maxima is an easy second in her understated but classy outfit.
DeleteTotally agree re Princess Alexia. The dress is lovely but the hat and bag are odd accessories
The Princess of Orange is naturally beautiful. She would look better with her hair up, less material In the dress and a brighter colour but wow, those heels are fab
I disagree re Princess Laurentien. Given some of her quirky outfits, this is a goid colour and a restrained look.
Overall, they have a great show for us today.
Agree 100% in what you wrote. They honestly look as though they raided their Mom's closet and it's a hodge-podge. I do expect they will wear their Mom's gowns but this was a miss of a day.
Delete@ dellbabe68
DeleteThe only one who wore a dress which belongs to Queen Maxima is Princess Ariane.
The youngest "Princess" is the most beautifully one of all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your positivity, but you are digging too deeply into the world's dwindling supply of exclamation marks. One suffices!
DeleteShe is not just beautiful, but Princess Ariane carries herself with style, elegance, confidence and expression that connects with people.
DeleteAlexia seems not interested; the hat is not coordinating with the event, the bag is big like a shopping bag.
Amilia is becoming more confident, beautiful dress, the heels influenced my Maxima are so not necessary!
All the sisters are beautiful but Ariane has that gorgeous, sunny smile!
DeleteIn my view all three girls are very pretty. But Amilia has the most classic beauty in her facial features..
DeleteTotally agree about Ariane! Not only does she look very beautiful, she also seems to be a nice person.
DeleteI agree with Joann
Delete@ 15:42 & @ Joan : 17:04
Delete"Amilia" this is a version of CP Amalia I didn't heard yet.
Superbe princesse Ariane dans cette robe Bordeaux ; je remarque qu’elle est coiffée d’une sorte de bandeau de la même couleur comme les gants - Je n’oublie pas son magnifique sourire !
ReplyDeleteAnd this is an old dress of Maxima. Ariane looks really amazing. Amalia a big no, too much fabrics and wrong colour. Alexia kind of too common but that's because of the hat. Maxima less is more which is really nice cause often with her it's too much of everything
DeleteAriana is wearing a dress Maxima wore years ago to Prinsjesdag !
DeleteFor me, the choice of Ariane is the one I would most want to wear if I had to choose one. Perhaps I am conservative, and prefer the most conservative. I very much like the little sparkly "shawl" at the top, and the use of a single colour across the outfit. They all look splendid, but a little bit hotchpotch except for Ariane.
ReplyDeleteLes robes ne me plaisent pas vraiment. Question d'équilibre, mais je raffole des gants en cuir bordeaux de la princesse.
ReplyDeleteIt's their choice of headpieces that render them a very extravagant bunch. Amalia has become my favourite but the cape does not do her any favours. The colour is rather odd but it does look good on her. Me thinks.
ReplyDeleteAriane ziet er het beste uit, komt ook het symphatiekst over, de rest afstandelijk en zelfs een beetje arrogant, waarom heeft Maxima weer die rare antenne op haar hoofd gezet.
ReplyDeleteAlexia's dress is my winner of the day - or would-be winner, because of the hat, which is like an ironical afterthought an manages to kind of ruin the outfit as a whole. Two two other sisters are rather "closed" and somehow restricted through their respective capes. Especially Amalia is drowned in fabric of a colour the associations of which I am not going to dwell on. The Jan Taminiau gown is a rewear and given my personal dislike for capes, I admit that the gown is beautiful and the "opening" at the front a divine idea. Máxima - well, quite an incomprehensible mixture.
ReplyDeleteUn chapeau de cowboy avec une robe longue, c'est particulier, mais le top c'est la robe moutarde avec des effets de volants, là c'est tellement jeune et réussi. Marie.
ReplyDeleteMais non, ce n'est pas un chapeau de cowboy. C'est un chapeau que mon papa appellait un "chapeau vent". C'était la mode pour hommes après la fin de la deuxième guerre mondiale. J'ai toujours vu mon père porter ce chapeau pendant les années 50.
DeleteNote : Les cowboys portaient des "Stetson". Un vrai Stetson à l'heure actuelle est beau et coûte beaucoup d'argent. Ils sont aussi plus grand que le chapeau porté par la princesse Alexia.
HRH P Ariane’s hat is a fedora.
DeleteI meant HRH P Alexia’s hat is a fedora, not P. Ariane’s.
DeleteYes you are right 01:29
DeleteWhile the ivory skirt of Queen Maxima looks exquisite, her black blouse takes the look down a few notches. But, contrary to others, I love her headpiece/fascinator. I also like the green on Princess Laurentien, mainly because the colour is becoming on her. The A-Team (Princess of Orange, Princess Alexia, Princess Ariane) with some slight issues, imho. The first one is the colour on the Princess of Orange and the exessively draped fabric on her dress. The secon one is the hat/dress combo on Princess Alexia. Well, not too bad, in fact, but also a bit of a let down. Third, while I think she is definitely best dressed of the three, Princess Ariane (in a gown her mother once wore; good) might have looked even more smashing with a different hair-style. Overall - we have seen worse in the past. So, Happy Prinsjesdag!
ReplyDeleteHad to giggle to myself I thought there was a scratch on the first photo it wasn’t until I saw it was the wisps of the hat. Not a fan of the capes but okay. Alexia seems to have a bit of an eclectic fashionista style, and Ariane just goes with the flow. Lovely family
ReplyDeleteThe queen wears a Strange combination of a beautifull evening skirt with a quite ordinary black blouse.
ReplyDeleteAmalia, as often, good but for an older woman.
Ariane, very sweet, whatever she wears, and this is quite good.
Alexia: wants to be somewhere else.
I really think that tiaras would have looked nicer with the gowns (long dresses). I do realize it is a daytime event, so that could be the reason they are not wearing tiaras!
ReplyDeleteThey never wear tiara's at Prinsjesdag.
DeleteAmalia seems more and more confident and assured each time I see her. She does formal dressing very well, and as I also commented at this same event last year she has managed to out Maxima her mom!
ReplyDeleteAriane looks wonderful too.
The other three ladies outfits i am not so impressed with this time around.
The gentlemen both look good.
what's with the leather gloves? seen other royals wearing on state events heat of the summer should anyone say bcos it's cold
ReplyDeleteFormality and tradition..
DeleteIt's part of the traditional formal daywear dress code for royals -- along with hats. The late Queen Elizabeth always wore gloves in the daytime , but only a few of the next generation have kept this tradition -- and Maxima is one of them. Seems 2 of her daughters like it as well.
DeleteAnother diehard daytime glove-wearer is Princess Anne. And Queen Mary will also wear day gloves on ceremonial occasions. Lyra
@ Lyra.
DeleteIn the Netherlands and Belgium the gloves are protocol during formal dressing f. ex. on state visits. Even when it is hot weather. They can also be worn as follows : one glove on the left hand and the right glove worn by the left hand. Or both gloves in the left hand together with a clutch or envelope bag. The right hand must always be free to shake hands with the other heads of state. Contrary to QE II and P. Anne who always shakes(ed) hands with their gloves on. In the Netherlands and Belgium the queens and princesses are wearing gloves of fine leather and not white or dark synthetic gloves (maybe wool when it is cold). The protocol is not the same in all the countries with a monarchie.
I realize that this is a very formal event but I don't like the leather gloves with an evening gown.
ReplyDeleteThe event takes place during the day. The dresses are not considered as evening dresses but as long day dresses. The female miembers of parliament and wifes of the ministers of the Dutch governemt.are wearing short dresses or ensembles with short or midi skirts. A number of them wore also a hat. Wearing gloves and stockings are part of the outfit of a queen, a princess and a lady of the higher class. I don't think any one who is not strictly following the rules of the protocol will be refused to enter the room.
DeleteAlexia is the winner, because of her smile, she looks most genuine friendly
ReplyDeleteDo you perhaps mean Ariane? Alexia didn’t seem to smile much!
DeleteAlexia rarely smiles
DeleteI will not delve into comparing the young ladies' beauty - they all look lovely and are cute in their own ways. I particularly like the aubergine/eggplant colored hat and headband. Nice balcony shot. and I prefer the Queen's black and white ensemble over her green. jmo....
ReplyDeleteI like Ariane´s choice the best too - best colour, best style, most suitable for the occasion. She also looks most at ease and relaxed while still very poised.
ReplyDeleteMaxima is my number two. The black-and-white looks great, the silhouette is festive, but the blouse is too casual for this very formal event.
Laurentien is third. Good colour, structured outfit, and the sash works really well with it. The skirt is a tad to long and rather stiff unfortunately but this is a very tame outfit for this quirky princess. I think she did well.
And then Alexia and Amalia. Both beautiful young ladies but their dresses are poor choices. Both dresses are thin and unforgiving, and they are as unflattering to Amalia´s curves as they are to Alexia´s skinny frame. Alexia´s dress is especially difficult to wear (it could pass as both a slip and a nightgown) and the accessories she chose fail to elevate it enough to pass as formal dress. The colour combination is ok but the styles clash: cowboy-like hat, formal gloves and delicate slip dress). And the gloves look odd with the sleeveless dress and expose how skinny she is (reminds me of Victoria in her sleeveless dress for Nobel 1997).
As for Amalia: The colour is awful, both for Amalia´s colouring and in combination with the blue sash. The style is unflattering on her. Instead of draping herself in thin fabrics and hiding behind cape-like curtains, she should opt for sturdier materials and more structured designs. With her blonde hair, I think darker colours look great, and I´d go for interesting necklines and lose the shoulder pads. And lastly, I´d replace the superthin heels with a more solid one (not as big as a block heel, but something more substantial than what she´s wearing).
Vanessa
Agree !!
DeleteTotally agree as Amalia is concerned
DeleteTotally agree!
DeleteTotally agree especially concerning Alexia.
DeleteI find Alexia’s dress not becoming around the arms, I prefer the look on the model.
ReplyDeleteThe queen looks lovely, the head piece demands a second look to figure it out. Lots of fabric floating or billowing. The king looks very handsome and regal, gray tones are perfect for his colouring.
Maxima's look includes a headpiece she wore back in 2014; and I didnt like it then either, because of the obvious joins in its construction.
ReplyDeleteThis headpiece style requires a minimal outfit with clean sculptured lines to shine, and unfortunately Maxima's outfit is too soft, unstructured, and dare I say casual, to complement this item.
Beatrice Borromeo wore a fabulous, beautifully-constructed version of this headpiece style in 2013 to great effect, paired perfectly with a simple pants suit. Lyra
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/pierre-casiraghi-and-girlfriend-beatrice-borromeo-arrive-at-news-photo/181420121?adppopup=true
Purtroppo nessuno di questi vestiti riesce a piacermi. Le ragazze indossano abiti già visti, con le solite mantelle, e sembrano imitare lo stile della mamma.
ReplyDeletePoi, perché Alexia sia sempre così imbronciata non è dato saperlo.
Lovely people with really bad fashion sense.
ReplyDeleteKim
Ha ha!
DeleteDear Kim, why use the words "bad fashion sense". They look fantastic imo but your taste can be different. And that is fine but you can't use those words. I wonder what people, who have such critisme, are wearing themselfs. Hopefully they look every single day fantastic and that all people find it fantastic too. I think it is a matter of taste and not a bad fashion sense if you don't like it.
DeleteAlexia wore a small star diamond brooch on the back of her dress, under her right shoulder, looked stunning. (saw a photo of it elsewhere) Love the earrings and brooch Queen Maxima wore, stunning. Princess Ariane wore one of the Queen's gowns. I thought she looked beautiful, I read elsewhere a poster said it was too mature looking for her, I don't feel that is the case. She looked splendid. I do have to make mention of the Royal men. They are both well groomed, attired and very stylish.
ReplyDeleteAlexia's gown and hat, I find to be a disconnect.
I love the Queen's ivory satin skirt. I don't like it paired with this ivory colored skirt, the black imo is a tad harsh looking, regardless she looks wonderful.
No fashion sense at all. The men look well groomed but the women look as though they have raided a charity shop, grabbing whatever was in reach with no regard as to whether it fitted, suited them or respected the importance of the event.
ReplyDeleteMi spiace dirlo, ma il gusto e l'eleganza non sono là di casa.
ReplyDeleteAs often, the Dutch Royal family looks like they are off to different events, albeit in gala dresses. I have a hard time liking any of the outfits, there always seems to be one or several details that ruins the general look.
ReplyDeleteAmalia is lovely but the chartreuse color doesn’t suit her at all.
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