To welcome German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier during his three-day state visit to the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima hosted a state banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
In line with the white-tie event, where the dress code calls for statement gowns and glittering tiaras, their daughter Princess Catharina-Amalia pulled out all the stops in a fairytale blue gown and her mother's wedding tiara.
Posing for a photo ahead of the banquet, the 22-year-old stood behind her parents in a cool blue column dress by Rachel Gilbert with a corseted, embellished bodice and draped straps that were reminiscent of Disney Princess Cinderella's ball gown.
With her long blonde hair styled in tumbling curls in a half-updo, she proudly showed off her sparkling diamond tiara, which was a sentimental piece from her family's jewellery collection.
The starry design known as the Dutch Star tiara was made up of the base of the Pearl Button tiara, topped with five diamond star brooches that were given to Queen Emma when she married King Willem III in 1879. The combination of the royal jewels was debuted by Queen Maxima at her royal wedding with King Willem-Alexander in 2002.
© ANP/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Princess of Orange had previously worn the headpiece on several occasions, including for her tiara debut in June 2022 at Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway's 18th birthday gala, and for the Portuguese president's visit in 2024.
© GettyQueen Maxima's jewels
Not to be outshone, Máxima also made a style statement on Tuesday night in a sapphire and diamond tiara largely considered to be one of the most spectacular pieces of Dutch jewellery.
Created in 1881 by King Willem III as a gift for his second wife, Queen Emma, the towering tiara is made up of 33 large Ceylon sapphires and more than 600 diamonds and came as part of a set including two bracelets and a brooch.
© Getty ImagesMaxima wore the headpiece alongside matching drop earrings and a recycled cream dress by Jan Taminiau with flowers and birds adorning the fabric.
Tiara secrets
Bobby Leigh Pemberton, partner at antique fine jewellery dealers Humphrey Butler Jewellery, previously told HELLO! that hairspray and hidden elastics are crucial for keeping tiaras in place.
"I have yet to be presented with a tiara for sale from a private source that hasn’t been coated in [hairspray]," said the expert, who has lectured on the history of the jewellery market.
Since headpieces can be hidden away in a vault for generations, he advised changing the elastic regularly. "Elastic that has sat in a damp safe for a generation since the piece’s last outing is probably not to be trusted, and it is very easy to replace the coloured silk that often covers a headband to match one’s hair colour," he said.
