Dutch Queen Wears Wurttemberg Pearl Tiara at State Banquet for Italian President Visit

On November 9, 2022, Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima officially received the visiting Italian President, His Excellency Sergio Mattarella, accompanied by his daughter, Laura Mattarella, at Amsterdam's Dam Square. 

This Italian official state visit to The Netherlands is at the invitation of King Willem-Alexander to strengthen the diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

Queen Maxima and Laura Mattarella, daughter of President Sergio Mattarella of Italy

According to the Dutch Royal House's statement, "The bonds between Italy and the Netherlands are strong. As NATO Allies and founding members of the European Union, Italy and the Netherlands share the same values and stand side by side in confronting the major challenges of our time. This state visit will serve to deepen this partnership, as Italy and the Netherlands work together to build a stronger, greener, and safer Europe".

Their Majesties The King and Queen of The Netherlands. Credit ANP/Remko de Waal

Queen Maxima's fashion during the first day of the visit

On the night of the arrival of President Mattarella and his daughter, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima hosted a state dinner at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. The King and the Italian President both delivered a short speech.

Queen Maxima was a vision of elegance in her ensemble during the state banquet. She wore a Jantaminiau gold gown with beads, which she accessorized with a five-strand pearl necklace. She completed her queenly look with a Wurttemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara.

State banquet in honor of the Italian president Credit ANP/Remko de Waal

From left: Laura Mattarella, President Mattarella, the King and Queen

The Wurttemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara is one of the most resplendent head sparklers in the Dutch royal jewelry collection. The known owner of this tiara was Queen Wilhelmina (1880-1962), the great-grandmother of King Willem-Alexander.

However, the diamonds in the tiara were said to be originally owned by Queen Sophie, born Princess Sophie of Wurttemberg, the first wife of Queen Wilhelmina's father, King William III of The Netherlands, hence, the name of the tiara.

Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands wearing the Wurttemberg Pearl Tiara

This magnificent royal topper is made of several diamonds and pearls and can be worn in different forms. Two rows of pear-shaped pearls, without the pear-shaped pearls, or just the top row of pearls, or just the bottom row of pearls.

Wurttemberg Ornate Tiara was the chosen wedding tiara of Princess Beatrix when she married Claus van Amsberg in March 1966. When she became Queen in 1980, this tiara was one of her favorite crown jewels during state occasions.