The maddest hatter of European royalty! From an Ascot spectacular to a wide-brimmed wonder at Queen Letizia’s wedding – a colourful catalogue of Queen Maxima’s showstopping headgear

Hats are often like Marmite, you either love them or you hate them.

But when you can wear them as well as the Queen of the Netherlands, they become a wardrobe staple.

Queen Maxima, who is rarely seen in public without a glamorous, gravity-defying hair accessory to highlight her gorgeous blonde locks.

She has opted to wear hats for some of the most memorable occasions of her life, including the baptism of her second daughter, Princess Alexia.

Maxima, who celebrates her 52nd birthday today, looked regal as she wore an elegant lilac flowered hat, decorated with netting and pearls, while cradling her baby.

She certainly calculated which hat would pair best with the climate when she made a state visit to India in 2019, opting for a rather tropical tilted affair, which sat on the side of her head.

The jaw-dropping head piece boasted turquoise, tangerine, beige and rose feathers.

Milliner Laura Cathcart said the royal has the perfect face shape for the wide brimmed hat.

She added: ‘Note too that she always has hats that show her face because she’s aware of her role as a public figure – the brim is an upward brim, rather than a downward brim. It lets people see who she is – she needs a hat that is lifted off her face.’

Stylist Simon Glazin agreed, also telling FEMAIL: ‘Whoever said big, statement hats were saved just for Ascot obviously hasn’t met Queen Maxima.

‘She favours an oversized brim, low on one side, high on the other which not only adds to the drama of it all, but also helps frame her face. A trick if you wanted to dress up your occasion looks but not be swallowed up by your accessories.’

The Mail’s new Royals section has put together a list of Queen Maxima’s most impressive hats, but which one was your favourite? Let us know in the comments below…