I think Marilène is just lovely, and I like the idea behind this, but I think it's the color that's getting me.  I think if it were a deeper shade of purple -- more like a royal purple, or perhaps a bit redder, if that makes sense -- it would be more flattering.  There's something a little bit "little girl playing princess" about this color, I think.

PHOTO CREDITS: PPE

HRH The Prince of Orange and Miss Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti
February 2, 2002

Here's our third crown princely wedding in the run up to Crown Princess Victoria's June nuptials -- less than a month now!  The crown prince of The Netherlands, Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, wed Argentine investment banker Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti in 2002. 

The wedding was not without controversy; Máxima's father, Jorge Zorreguieta Stefanini, was a minister in the administration of Argentine dictator Jorge Videla.  Videla's government carried out what was called a "Dirty War," killing tens of thousands of Argentine citizens, and Zorreguieta's involvement was suspect.  However, the Dutch States-General granted permission for the couple to marry -- but neither of Máxima's parents attended the wedding.

Since their marriage, Máxima's relaxed and friendly personality has become quite popular with the Dutch people.  She and Willem-Alexander have three daughters: Catharina-Amalia, Hereditary Princess of Orange (who will likely one day be queen), Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane.

Wedding Hatters

Seriously, the Dutch princesses have to be some of the most beautiful on the planet, don't they?  The daughters-in-law of Princess Margriet are all just so gorge, especially this new princess for the blog: Princess Marilène, the wife of Margriet's eldest son, Prince Maurits (that's him on the right).  She's the daughter of a prominent Dutch political figure, Hans van den Broek.

I have to say, I think this might be one of my very favorite hat of the wedding -- it's chic and interesting, and even though it's beige, it's a nice way to do a neutral. If I had to change anything, I might suggest that it not sit quite so far down over her face -- have to keep the royal visage visible, after all!