Máxima sends Trump a silent message with her dress: ‘Lack of respect?’

Queen Máxima let her dress do the talking during dinner with President Donald Trump. On Monday evening, the Queen deliberately chose a fiery orange creation by Dutch designer Claes Iversen, and this was anything but a random pick from her wardrobe. Fashion journalist Josine Droogendijk leaves no doubt: this was a statement.

An evening with weight
The state visit to the United States was a charged moment in itself. Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander joined President Trump and his wife Melania Trump for an official dinner. The diplomatic tension between the Netherlands and the US was palpable, and in that climate, clothing and protocol choices are closely monitored by analysts. Moreover, the dinner was full of symbolism: the royal couple stayed at the White House at a time when international relations with Washington are anything but a given.

Because state visits are rarely separate from politics, observers also look at the smallest details. The choice of an outfit is therefore not a frivolity, but a well-considered means of communication. That is precisely where the power of what Máxima did on Monday evening lies. Her appearance immediately drew all the attention, partly because she stood next to Melania Trump, who also made extensive media headlines with her choice of clothing.