Queen Maxima dazzles Kenyans with her elegant sense of style during state visit

The arrival of His Majesty Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Máxima, the King and Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, on Monday night may not have generated much buzz, but one thing is starting to turn heads.

Beyond the official aspects of the visit, which have so far seen the two countries sign three Memoranda of Understanding to strengthen bilateral ties in the areas of trade, agriculture and tourism, the Queen's fashion choices from the moment she landed have caused a buzz, with her effortlessly elegant yet bold outfits sparking conversations online.

The outfit she arrived in, a long black coat worn over a white top, a pair of bold wide-leg trousers and matching red platform shoes, was a sweet blend of modern trends and Kenyan culture, often represented by Maasai regalia.

The Dutch Queen accentuated the look with red statement earrings that matched her trousers, shoes and some of the beads on her black coat, turning her overall ensemble into a modern version of the traditional Maasai dress worn by many during cultural events.

The move, which drew the admiration of many keen observers, is deemed a thoughtful diplomatic gesture showcasing her respect, appreciation and desire to connect with the local people.

"The Queen of the Netherlands is sporting a long coat with beaded accents in honour of the Maasai as she arrives in Nairobi, Kenya," Ian Cox wrote on X.

As the royal couple kicked off their official itinerary today, the Queen once again donned a flowing, cape-style dress in a muted coral shade, which she accentuated with a matching wide-brimmed coral hat, matching heels, a purse and a pair of statement earrings, adding glamour to a formal occasion.

She is sure to keep heads turning this week as Kenyans keen on fashion look forward to what she wears at the upcoming events scheduled as part of their royal visit.

Key events that are likely to see her don more of her elegant and bold-coloured outfits and statement pieces include the State House banquet that will be hosted by President Ruto later today, the cultural event organised in appreciation of Kenya's hospitality on Wednesday, and of course, her reception with members of the Dutch community living in Kenya, which will mark the royal couple's final activity as the visit concludes on Thursday.

A little online search shows that the Argentine-born investment banker is considered a style icon by many back home in the Netherlands.

According to local media, her wardrobe transitioned from casual to more formal looks upon her marriage to her husband—then a Prince and heir apparent to the throne—after which she became a Princess.

"Máxima turned to formal wear, and her wardrobe consisted of ball gowns, tiaras and fascinators. Her regal style became even more apparent after she became Queen of the Netherlands in 2013. More recently, she has experimented with more daring ensembles, such as dresses with sheer and illusion necklines and bold cutouts," Business Insider, a pan-African business news platform, notes.

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Images of her wedding day show her in an A-line ivory gown, which she paired with a five-metre train by Italian fashion mogul Valentino and a Dutch pearl button tiara.

The Queen chairs Meer Muziek in de Klas, loosely translated as "More Music in the Classroom", a foundation started in 2015 to promote arts and culture education for all primary school children in the Netherlands and the Caribbean.

While attending the annual Christmas music gala in Leusden on December 12, 2024, she wore a warm black coat over a black velvet top and a sequin-covered pair of trousers, which she accentuated with her preferred pair of statement earrings and a cluster ring from the Dutch Emerald Parure.

During a recent state visit to Cyprus, she wore a treasured diamond Bandeau tiara, said to be a favourite of generations of Dutch queens and a deep red gown designed by one of her most relied-upon designers, Jan Taminiau.

The itinerary shows that the royal couple will visit and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in honour of those who contributed to Kenya's freedom and independence.

They are also scheduled to hold a dialogue session with young Kenyans from a range of backgrounds, who will share their personal experiences and ideas about Kenya's future. This dialogue will also touch on the human rights situation in Kenya, good governance and democracy.