Princess Alexia gives her older sister Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, a loving hug (King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands & Queen Máxima of the Netherlands), early 2000s(?).
#tbt: Little Dutch Princesses Share Sisterly Hug, date unknown

Early last week, Vanity Fair released The International Best-Dressed List 2014. I was surprised by some of the honorees listed, especially Crown Princess Mary, and was happy to see Queen Maxima.
I do love the outfit that landed Crown Princess Mary on the list — pictured above — however, have found most of her outfits a bit, lackluster. Most of the time it looks like she bought her dresses right off the latest runway, and while I love runway fashion, it’s more often than not not suitable for a royal. Perhaps picking certain looks and emulating the pieces and looks that you most like, but looking like a walking mannequin does no one any favors.
What’s worse, copying the exact look of another royal…
While I hardly think Kate Middleton has the monopoly on skinny jeans and striped shirts — I can attest to wearing them far before I ever knew of Kate, as can many. But the green jacket featured above, identical to the slanted pocket, leaves one with doubts that this was a mere coincidence.
Ever since Kate hit the seen the media has been trying to push this comparison of the two “commoner” princesses narrative.
I don’t see it.
But, since Mary sometimes uses Kate as a fashion muse… and Kate sometimes looks to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana for inspiration… it seems as though the real royal most deserving of this Vanity Fair honor should be Diana herself. I suppose that’s not the popular opinion, just my own.
Queen Maxima, however, I am so glad to have seen listed. She seems to add her own flair to every outfit, and has the confidence to make a potato sack look glamorous.
I sincerely wish we had seen Queen Letizia mentioned, though. She seems to take a lot of fashion risks, and stays true to her own style.
Today’s annual Summer photo shoot for the Dutch Royal Family has been cancelled. Instead of smiles, the royals swap poses for a somber day mourning with the rest of the world the loss of those aboard the flight that was shot down yesterday, killing all 295 passengers and crew. The flight originated out of Amsterdam, meaning there was a large amount of Dutch nationals aboard, at least 173.
King Willem-Alexander said today in a released statement:
“I am deeply saddened by the terrible news about the crash of flight MH17 over Ukrainian territory.
Like the rest of the Netherlands my wife and I follow the news closely and we hope that soon more becomes clear.
We sympathize intensely with family , friends, colleagues and acquaintances of the victims and those who are still uncertain whether their loved ones were on board the aircraft.”
Other Royals, including Belgian, and British, have expressed their condolences, as well.
Queen Beatrix’s three sons, Princes Constantijn, Friso and Willem-Alexander, in the Italian Porto Ercole during the Summer of 1973.
Princess Beatrix* poses with her six-month-old son, Prince Willem-Alexander*.
His Majesty celebrated his 46th birthday on April 26 with his nation, who had the day off in honor of ‘King’s Day.’
*Now she is the former Queen of the Netherlands since abdicating last August, passing the throne to her son, who is *now King Willem-Alexander.