Dutch State Visit to Belgium : 20-22 June 2006

[fanletizia]

More images from profimedia

[Maxie]

Maxima looks great with the curls! She should do that more often! :)
Love the hat and the clothes, lovely color! Queen Beatrix looked great in white too.

[Her_Majesty]

Inded, this are very busy days for WA and maxima

Queen Beatrix second outfit looks much better then the 1st one!
Same goes for Maxima's hat!
I like the second one much more! The first one looked a bit too huge , imo!

I am quite disappointed of Mathilde's hat! :(

[blyton]

Maxima looks good,Considering she had a very busy week last week,and only came home on Sunday.I like both her outfits.

[Alexandria]

Thank you everyone for the lovely photos! :) It's interesting to see the contrast between the outward exuberance of Maxima and the big grin of Willem in contrast to the introverted elegance of Mathilde and the more quiet demeanor of Phillippe.

[GrandDuchess]

Originally Posted by Alexandria

Thank you everyone for the lovely photos! :) It's interesting to see the contrast between the outward exuberance of Maxima and the big grin of Willem in contrast to the introverted elegance of Mathilde and the more quiet demeanor of Phillippe.

Yes, I was thinking about that as well, quite a contrast.

Oh my, we have seen some interesting and rather horrible hats today To bring forward the best features of their outfits during the day, I must say that I loved Mathilde's shoes, very stylish! And Máxima's orange/golden yellow dress was lovely, as was the hat.

[johann]

And some more from polfoto

[Olka]

Originally Posted by johann

And some more from polfoto

Wow, I'm surprised to se Mathilde with such curly hair. I've never seen her with such a hairdo!!! It's so different from the usual Mathilde...:)

[Shadiyah2086]

Originally Posted by johann

And some more from polfoto

I love Mathilde's hair it's different but very pretty. You rarely she her wear a tiara with some of her hair down.But I like it. And Queen Paola's dress makes her look very regal.

[Maxie]

Originally Posted by GrandDuchess

Yes, I was thinking about that as well, quite a contrast.

I think it ressembles a bit the contrast between the two countries. Dutch people tend to be a bit louder and more outspoken (and not always in a good way that is) than Belgians are. Of course this is in general, because I know some quite outspoken Belgians and a lot of modest Dutchies too.

Thanks for the pics of the banquet, Johann.
As always I want to know which tiara's the ladies are wearing and as always it's Maxima's which isn't visible properly... :(

[Sophus]

I don't think that Mathilde looks like herself tonight with her long curly hair, thick foundation and black mascara...

[DameBlanche]

Originally Posted by Sophus

I don't think that Mathilde looks like herself tonight with her long curly hair, thick foundation and black mascara...

Yes, Mathilde doesn't look like herself, she looks like Sissi in the Romy Schneider movies.

And prince Laurent doesn't seem very happy; maybe he still has pain caused by his motor accident last week.

But I'm happy princess Claire came out again, it's the first time we see a picture of her since january. And she looks ravissant.

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by Maxie

I think it ressembles a bit the contrast between the two countries. Dutch people tend to be a bit louder and more outspoken (and not always in a good way that is) than Belgians are. Of course this is in general, because I know some quite outspoken Belgians and a lot of modest Dutchies too.

So true, Maxie! The contrast Alexandria brought up is indeed exactly the way I tend to think about the very difference of these two neighboring countries!
"Introverted elegance", I love that phrase, as it sums up exactly what I appreciate so much in the Belgians (if I may generalize!) :) It also applies to its culture, its incredible food, its charming, gorgeous cities..Gent, Antwerpen, Brugge..for those of you who've never visited..by all means do! Belgium is completely underrated, tourist-wise, I think. But I'm digressing here.

As for the royal 'fashion show', I think as far as the gala looks go, Claire is the clear Belle of the Ball. she's not getting a foot wrong. Princess Astrid looked incredibly elegant as well.

Maxima's trying to pull a JAckie indeed, and doing a great job of it, but her face seems overly made up or something, as if she's fighting fatigue (not unlikely considering what she's been up to lately..)
Same for Mathilde, weird make-up, as some of you have already said. Oh and those hair extensions..kudo's to the woman for trying, but they look BLACK to me! Maybe it's the camera's doing..

By the way, not a picture of the Duke of Parma?
Or is he attendingthe events tomorrow only?

[auntie]

Originally Posted by princess olga

As for the royal 'fashion show', I think as far as the gala looks go, Claire is the clear Belle of the Ball. she's not getting a foot wrong. Princess Astrid looked incredibly elegant as well.

Maxima's trying to pull a JAckie indeed, and doing a great job of it, but her face seems overly made up or something, as if she's fighting fatigue (not unlikely considering what she's been up to lately..)

I agree with you, The first impression I have of claire was that she, in her quiet unassuming way, out shines them all! Maxima seems to be smoking or flying too much, as it has taken a toll on her complexion!

BTW, does Prince Laurent have a bad leg? Why does he walk with a stick?

[carlota]

why oh why did paola, maxima and mathilde decide to wear those super strange hats? they may be original, but not flattering at all... :(

i still loved all the pictures we has the first day of the visit. i love seeing mathilde and maxima interact, they look so at ease and comfortable with each other, in private or official events... it's also nice to see how their 'jobs' unites them so often!

some people said that mathilde didn't lose weight since her last pregnancy. today she proved what a gorgeous figure she still has...! to me, she looked amazing in red.

[alexandresylvie]

A dînner of Official reception has you he place this evening to Leaken? ??????????????????????

[Maxie]

Yes, alexandresylvie! You're right. I'm anxiously waiting for some pictures!

[johann]

Here are the first ones (anp, polfoto)

[Kelly]

Maxima looks amazing in that yellow mustard dress. Very nice look. How did she change so fast?

[Zonk]

The ladies look especially lovely tonight. I like Mathide's hair..its something different but not too outlandish. Maxima and Claire look great as well. The Queens, all three, look lovely.