Tiaras, Gown and Dashing Gentlemen: Gala Banquet

Photo: Het Koninklijk Huis

Get out your sunglasses, ladies and gentlemen, it's sparkle time. I knew we could count on the Benelux ladies to bring the bling (though I am a tad disappointed the Grand Duchess did not get out the Empire Tiara...)

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Cyril Moreau

In the red corner we got Grand Duchess Maria Teresa sporting the Belgian Scroll Tiara and a repeated Elie Saab gown. In the blue corner we have Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie wearing the (new-to-her) Chaumet Diamond and Pearl Choker Tiara and the necklace version of the Sapphire Necklace Tiara together with an old Elie Saab gown previously worn by the Grand Duchess, which seems to be Stéphanie's go-to-thing for state visits as of late. The star of the tiara show though: Queen Máxima, who brought the Stuart Tiara which was last worn by Queen Juliana in 1971 - talk about dusting off a jewel! 

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Cyril Moreau

While Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa are wearing the Order of the Netherlands Lion, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie are sporting the Order of Orange-Nassau. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, in turn, are wearing the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau, Luxembourg's highest honour.

On the non-visual front, the speech of the Grand Duke at tonight's gala banquet can be found here. The speech of the King is available here.

Links with more pictures to come!

P.S. We will bring you a detailed look at all the state visit fashion on Friday in the next edition of Fashion Friday.

P.P.S. Also check out our post on the day activities of this first day of the Dutch state visit to Luxembourg.