Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attends an engagement in Utrecht after returning from the UK

Even the rain couldn’t bring down Queen Maxima’s mood as she honoured her first public engagement right after returning from her a week away to visit the UK and Ireland. 

The Dutch royal, looking sublime in a pink dress, was in Utrecht where she attended the reopening of a military hospital with the Netherlands’ Secretary of Defence, Ank Bijleveld. 

To protect her from the rain, the royal, 48, wore a vibrant pink raffia hat that teamed with a pair of pink and purple earrings that finished off her outfit nicely. 

The monarch has been away from home for a week, after flying to Ireland for an official state visit last Wednesday, before making her way to the UK for the Order Of The Garter Ceremony and Royal Ascot.  

Singing in the rain: Queen Maxima (pictured) braved the rain in Utrecht in order to attended the reopening ceremony of a military hospital 

Instead of cutting the opening ribbon outside of the hospital as planned, Maxima did so inside, where it was warm and dry

Instead of cutting the opening ribbon outside of the hospital as planned, Maxima did so inside, where it was warm and dry 

The reopening ceremony followed a two year-long renovation of the hospital. 

Local media reported that nothing went as planned, as thunderstorms took over Utrecht as Maxima was due to arrive to the hospital. 

Instead of stopping at the entrance of the hospital as planned and instead drove on the red carpet that had been laid out for the occasion. 

 And, instead of cutting the hospital’s ribbon outside, Maxima did so inside, in the warm – and dry – newly renovated hospital. 

Local media reported that Maxima was barely wet from the rain thanks to her oversized hat (pictured

Local media reported that Maxima was barely wet from the rain thanks to her oversized hat (pictured

The royal need not have worried, as her oversized hat protected her from the rain perfectly.  

On Monday, the royal and her husband Willem Alexander, 52, attended the Order of the Garter Service at Windsor Castle.

The Dutch king received the honour during his State Visit in October 2018, but his honorary title was made official in a service also attended by Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Prince William. 

Kind Felipe VI of Spain was also honoured as his wife Queen Letizia looked on.  

After her car stopped on the red carpet, several security officers escorted Maxima to the hospital main doors

After her car stopped on the red carpet, several security officers escorted Maxima to the hospital main doors

Maxima took a tour of the new facilities and admired the renovation works that took two years to complete

Maxima took a tour of the new facilities and admired the renovation works that took two years to complete 

Never mind the rain: Maxima waited until the ghastly weather calmed down to perform her opening ceremony duties

Never mind the rain: Maxima waited until the ghastly weather calmed down to perform her opening ceremony duties 

But while the day was technically about their husbands, the royal women assured all eyes were on them by pulling out all the stops in an array of stylish outfits. 

Letizia, who wore a £250 dress by Spanish label Cherubina, and Maxima, who was a vision in head-to-toe blush in a Claes Iversen dress with cape sleeves. 

Kate Middleton and the Duchess of Cornwall both led the procession of European royals, the Duchess of Cambridge wearing an elegant white Catherine Walker coat dress and Camilla a pale pink Anna Valentine coat dress with a Philip Treacy hat. 

Happy to be home: In spite of the stormy weather, the Dutch Royal seemed delighted to be back in the Netherlands

Happy to be home: In spite of the stormy weather, the Dutch Royal seemed delighted to be back in the Netherlands  

All smile: It was the Dutch Queen's first engagement back home since her two-day trip to the UK

All smile: It was the Dutch Queen’s first engagement back home since her two-day trip to the UK 

Yesterday, Maxima stole the show with another blush pink outfit at Royal Ascot, where she was a guest of the Queen. 

During the afternoon, she was given the honour of sitting beside the Queen in her carriage and enjoyed the company of Prince William, Prince Charles and Kate. 

Maxima looked elegant in a soft beige and burnt orange midi dress and a hat as she strolled around Royal Ascot hand in hand with her husband Willem-Alexander. 

Polished perfection! (Left to right) Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Queen Letizia of Spain, the Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and the Duchess of Cambridge formed a dazzling line-up at Order of the Garter in Windsor today 

The Queen beamed as she waved to well-wishers from the back of an open-top carriage through Windsor Castle today

The Queen beamed as she waved to well-wishers from the back of an open-top carriage through Windsor Castle today

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands leaving the service with husband King Willem-Alexander,

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands with the Duchess of Cambridge after the service

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, who wore traditional formal gloves, leaving the service with husband King Willem-Alexander, left. Right, with Kate

Following the service the Queen led British and European royals from St George's Chapel. Pictured, the Queen (centre), with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall (far left), Queen Letizia of Spain (left), Prince Edward, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands (behind, left), the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Cambridge (behind the Queen), King Felipe of Spain (next to William) and Prince Andrew, Duke of York (behind, far right)

Following the service the Queen led British and European royals from St George’s Chapel. Pictured, the Queen (centre), with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall (far left), Queen Letizia of Spain (left), Prince Edward, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands (behind, left), the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Cambridge (behind the Queen), King Felipe of Spain (next to William) and Prince Andrew, Duke of York (behind, far right)

Special visitors: The Queen, centre, with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, right, at Royal Ascot this afternoon

Special visitors: The Queen, centre, with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, right, at Royal Ascot this afternoon

Getting on famously: Queen Maxima burst into laughter while chatting with her husband King Willem-Alexander, just seen left, and Prince William, centre. Elsewhere Kate spoke to Zara (left) and Charles chatted with a guest (right)

Getting on famously: Queen Maxima burst into laughter while chatting with her husband King Willem-Alexander, just seen left, and Prince William, centre. Elsewhere Kate spoke to Zara (left) and Charles chatted with a guest (right) 

Look of love: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands gazed lovingly at husband King Willem-Alexander during the Ascot outing

The Dutch King and Queen put on a loved up display

Look of love: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands gazed lovingly at husband King Willem-Alexander during the Ascot outing

 

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