Queen Máxima rocks business casual at financial conference

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands was ready for business on Thursday as she attended an event held by an organisation focused on improving the financial health of Dutch people.

The royal, who studied economics at university and went on to have a career in finance, has been the honorary of chair of host organisation SchuldenlabNL since 2022. 

Wearing a crew neck midi dress, the 53-year-old monarch looked stylish while businesslike at the meeting, which took place in the eastern city of Arnhem. 

The fashion-forward queen's grey, wool dress cinched at the waist thanks to a wide, patterned brown belt with a silver buckle.

She completed the look with a pair of brown, knee-high boots with a block heel and a small clutch bag in a similar shade. 

Máxima added sparkling statement earrings and wore two slim bracelets on her wrist. 

The beaming mother-of-three wore her shoulder-length, blonde hair loose and kept her make-up simple for the occasion.  

During the meeting, Máxima appeared serious and engaged, while also having a light-hearted exchange with her neighbour. 

Last week, Máxima honoured outstanding social initiatives with awards alongside her husband King Willem-Alexander and his mother, the former monarch Princess Beatrix.

The prestigious Apples of the Orange awards (Appeltjes van Oranje) are presented annually to social projects in the Kingdom of the Netherlands - which extends to parts of the Caribbean - that are considered creative and meaningful, and have been running for one year or more. 

Máxima chose a feminine white dress for the occasion, which saw her announce the winners from a podium and pose for photographs with the successful teams. 

With a gathered neckline, billowing sleeves and ruffle detailing on the skirt, Máxima's asymmetric midi dress was both striking and elegant. 

She accessorised her outfit with a tan clutch bag and statement gold earrings.

The Argentinian-born royal wore her long, blonde hair in a sleek blow-dry with some loose curls at the front adding glamour.

Máxima added further sparkle to her look with smoky eye make-up and a slick of plum-coloured lipstick. 

King Willem-Alexander, 57, looked typically smart in a navy suit, which he paired with a crisp white shirt and a gold tie.

The King's mother, Princess Beatrix, who was Queen of the Netherlands for 33 years from 1980 to 2013, appeared in good spirits at the awards ceremony at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague on Thursday, October 3.  

The former monarch paired an embroidered tunic with three-quarter sleeves with slim black trousers and gold jewellery for the occasion.

Beatrix, 86, is responsible for designing and making the bronze statuettes which are awarded to winners. 

Máxima beamed as she posed for photographs with the winners of Apples of the Orange awards and could be seen applauding the teams. 

The winners included Fundacion Movemiento ta Bida, an Aruba-based project specifically focused on getting elderly people involved in social and physical activities.

Also honoured was the Al Amal Foundation, which strives to help families, mothers, women and youth in Utrecht province and the Netherlands become more involved in Dutch society. 

Winners received a bronze statuette designed and made by Princess Beatrix as well as a cash sum of €25.000 to help the initiatives pursue their goals.