The evening of October 8, 2025, in the Dutch city of Breda was marked by one of the key events in the country’s business calendar—the presentation of the prestigious King Willem I Award. The ceremony, which brought together the elite of Dutch entrepreneurship, took place in a formal setting. However, the undoubted highlight of the evening was the appearance of Her Majesty Queen Máxima. Her presence always lends special significance to such events, but this time her entrance created a real sensation—and the reason was her attire, which became a subtle diplomatic and cultural message.
For such a significant occasion, the Queen chose a floor-length evening gown in a deep sapphire shade created by one of Spain’s leading fashion houses. The intricate design, accentuating her silhouette, and exquisite draping left no attendee indifferent. This choice was no coincidence. In a world where fashion serves as an instrument of soft power, Máxima’s appearance in a creation by Madrid designers was yet another testament to Spain’s growing influence on the global style stage. Spanish brands, whose boutiques are found not only on the streets of Madrid and Barcelona but also in world capitals, are increasingly making their way into the wardrobes of the most influential women on the planet.
This gesture also carries a deeply personal meaning. Queen Máxima, née Zorreguieta, has Spanish roots tracing back to the Basque Country. Her paternal ancestors hail from this proud and unique region of Spain. Therefore, her embrace of Spanish fashion can be seen as an elegant homage to her heritage, a reminder of the invisible ties connecting her to the Iberian Peninsula. Her public appearances are always an event, but such thoughtful details make each outing truly memorable.
Fashion experts and social commentators immediately drew parallels with the style of Queen Letizia, who has long earned a reputation as the leading ambassador of Spanish designers. Both queens, Máxima and Letizia, display impeccable taste and skillfully use fashion to convey certain messages, supporting local designers and strengthening cultural connections. Against the backdrop of discussions on new economic projects between the Netherlands and Spain, particularly with regions such as Catalonia and Andalusia, this fashion statement takes on added significance, symbolizing the strength and warmth of relations between the two monarchies and their peoples.
