Máxima of the Netherlands excelled with centuries-old rubies and royal glamour in Prague

On Wednesday night,Queen Máxima of the Netherlands  captured everyone's attention in  Prague during the gala banquet hosted by the Czech president. The event marked one of the highlights of the State visit she made together with  King Willem.

Expectations regarding her style were high. During the day, the monarch had already made headlines by re-wearing the dress she wore to King Charles III's coronation.But at night, she exceeded all expectations with a combination of elegance, history, and top-level.

A dress with history and Dutch signature

Máxima once again chose designer Jan Taminiau, one of her favorites. She retrieved from her wardrobe a red silk design with embroidered gemstones and batwing sleeves, which she had already worn on other important occasions.

The dress,  understated and majestic, served as the perfect base to highlight one of the most precious jewels in the royal collection: the Mellerio ruby set, which has more than a century of history.

Jewels with royal and sentimental legacy

The queen wore almost the entire  ruby and diamond set that King Willem III gave to Queen Emma in 1888.  It was a creation by the French jeweler Mellerio dits Meller, famous among European royalty.

This time,  Máxima wore the three-pointed tiara, the choker, and one of the bracelets from the set, leaving out the brooch, the earrings, and the bodice jewel. She paired the look with floral ruby and diamond earrings, another additional bracelet, and a gold clutch with crystals by Carolina Herrera.

These jewels not only represent a symbol of status but also an emotional bond:  Princess Amalia, heir to the throne, recently debuted with the Mellerio tiara, reaffirming the family tradition. As a child, she even tried it on in secret while her mother was getting ready for a gala dinner, in an intimate scene that was later published on the occasion of her 18th birthday.

The choice of the set was not accidental. Máxima has worn these pieces for royal weddings, birthdays, and diplomatic dinners. Each appearance reaffirms her ability to connect the present with the history of the monarchy.

Royal agenda and political situation

This Thursday, the queen continued with official activities alone in Prague before returning to the Netherlands.King Willem, meanwhile, had to bring forward his return due to the political crisis that erupted in his country.

The Dutch prime minister,  Dick Schoof, submitted his resignation on Tuesday, which forced the monarch to attend to internal affairs earlier than planned.  Despite the resignation, Schoof will continue to perform his duties until new elections are called.

The State visit left an image of diplomacy, elegance, and symbolic power. Once again, Máxima demonstrated that fashion can also be a vehicle for telling stories and exercising influence.