Princess Maxima of the Netherlands cut a glamorous figure as she attended a joint engagement with her husband Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Queen Beatrix this week. The royal trio, who are now just weeks away from Beatrix's abdication on 30 April, were united as they attended a gala held to mark the 125th anniversary of Amsterdam's Royal Concert Hall. Maxima will officially become Queen in two weeks, but she already looked the part as she waved to well wishers who lined the streets outside the grand concert Hall.
The mum of three secured a sartorial hit thanks to her full length skirt with ruched detail. The chocolate skirt was contrasted with a delicate red top and vertiginous heels in the same shade. With her husband and mother-in-law by her side, the Argentinean-born royal exuded confidence. She and Willem-Alexander are clearly prepared for their royal promotion. Earlier this year Queen Beatrix announced she will abdicate in favour of her eldest son on 30 April – the day when Willem-Alexander officially takes over his mother's title as head of the Dutch monarchy.
During the inauguration he will be styled as King William IV of Holland. Maxima will become Queen consort.
Excitement is building in the Netherlands as its royal family prepares to make changes after more than three decades of Beatrix's reign. Royal watchers were recently given their first glimpse of the programme for the inauguration, also known as the abdication and investiture ceremony.
Festivities will begin on the evening of 29 April, when Beatrix hosts her final dinner as Queen for members of the royal family and other VIP guests at the Rijksmuseum. The following morning, the new King Willem-Alexander and his Queen will appear with Beatrix on the palace balcony to greet their people. The new Princess of Orange, Amalia, 9, and her sisters Alexia ,7, and Ariane, 6, will also join their parents and grandmother on the balcony. When Queen Beatrix announced her intention to abdicate, Princess Maxima said, "It is a tremendous honour to be able to succeed my mother-in-law," before adding that she and husband Willem-Alexander expect a certain amount of pressure, and that they had "plenty of work" to do.