Queen Maxima, 54, reveals the secrets behind her incredible appearance,
The ever-glamorous Dutch royal proved yet again that age is just a number as she stepped out at the NATO summit this week in a jaw-dropping bespoke Natan Couture lime green jumpsuit.
Arriving alongside King Willem-Alexander at the summit’s formal reception in Brussels, Máxima was nothing short of luminous. Her sleek, wide-legged jumpsuit, cinched effortlessly at the waist and clung in all the right places, accentuating her statuesque 5’8 frame.
Paired with matching green Gianvito Rossi pumps and a bouncy blow-dry, she looked more Bond girl than bureaucrat’s wife.
There are few royals quite like Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. At 54, the Argentine-born queen consort brought her signature touch of glamour to the stage, without upstaging the importance of the event.
The bold choice of lime green, while unorthodox, was pitch perfect. Not too loud, not too safe. It was regal, commanding, and a little bit rebellious, exactly what the Dutch Queen has mastered over the years.
Rather than enlisting a fashion stylist to create her looks, Máxima shares a longstanding and close relationship with Belgian fashion designer Edouard Vermeulen, the creative force behind the couture house Natan.
Since their initial meeting in the early 2000s, Vermeulen has become a trusted designer for Máxima thanks to his designs which are renowned for their elegance and simplicity.
Over more than two decades, she has worn his creations for numerous official engagements. However, the foundation for Queen Maxima’s fabulous fashion is her fantastic figure, which is reportedly all down to one diet in particular, that is also loved by Sarah Ferguson.
The ketogenic diet regime is low in carbohydrates, but in contrast, high in fats. The lack of carbohydrates makes your body go into a process called ketosis, which makes you burn fat for energy.
Together with this she follows a method developed by a Dutch company called New Fysic which consists of a diet high in protein, eliminating carbohydrates, sweets and a few fruits and vegetables completely.
Alongside her diet, the queen trains with a personal fitness coach several times a week. Her preferred workout? A combination of Pilates, swimming, and strength training, all designed to maintain long, lean muscle without bulk.
These workouts are paired with brisk walks around the palace gardens, the occasional bike ride when the Dutch weather cooperates and her love of Argentinian dance, such as the tango.
When it comes to hair, Máxima is mainly in the hands of Martina Stanislavova, whose salon La Martina is in The Hague near Noordeinde Palace, but she also works with the hair and makeup artist Elles Nijkamp, who created Máxima’s whole look for Willem-Alexander’s inauguration in 2013.
The Dutch royal family have their own hair salon in Huis ten Bosch Palace that was recently renovated to add a few more stations for the team of hairdressers, and it is here where Martina uses hair extensions and hairpieces to create Máxima’s signature look, the asymmetrical or side bun.
Queen Máxima’s approach to royal dressing has always been delightfully different, more Milan catwalk than Buckingham Palace drawing room, and yet somehow never inappropriate.
Since assuming the role of queen consort to her husband King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in 2013, Queen Maxima has demonstrated a proclivity for fashioning whimsical styles with an unapologetic use of colour.
Frequently blending Dutch designers with global powerhouses, she has a clear signature. Bold hues, structured tailoring, wide-brimmed hats, and a distinct lack of trepidation around unusual silhouettes and architectural lines.
It’s regal, yes, but with a touch of flair that feels refreshingly personal. One week she’s in a sleek cape dress in sapphire blue, the next she’s sporting a navy trench dress with zesty orange gloves and pumps. Her style doesn’t just follow trends, it sets them.
She understands the power of fashion to communicate strength, grace, and modernity, dressing like the queen she is, but always with personality.
Even her accessories tell a story. She often wears family heirlooms, including the breathtaking Dutch Sapphire Tiara or pieces once owned by Queen Juliana. But she’ll just as readily step out in costume jewellery from Zara or vintage finds. The result? A look that is as accessible as it is aspirational.
Whether it’s her glowing complexion, enviable figure, or that famously bouncy blonde blow-dry, there’s something about Máxima that captivates, effortlessly blending glamour with substance.
She’s not trying to look younger or fit into someone else’s mould. Instead, she’s embracing who she is – a wife, mother, queen, and global figure – with confidence and flair.
That, more than any designer label or clever cut, is the secret to her timeless appeal.
Whether she’s dazzling in designer couture at a state banquet or rocking bold colours and statement hats on official engagements, Máxima continues to look fashion-forward and fabulous.
While the world’s cameras zoomed in on world leaders, it was Queen Máxima who stole the show at NATO, not by shouting the loudest, but simply by showing up, radiant and regal in lime green.
A queen in every sense of the word, bold, brilliant, and still breaking the mould, one sensational outfit at a time.
