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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
Congratulations to King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, who celebrates his 50th birthday today! To mark the milestone, we’re hopping in our bejeweled time machine for a visit to his 40th birthday party. This is part one of our flashback; stay tuned throughout the day for even more royal guests!
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| MARCEL ANTONISSE/AFP/Getty Images |
Although Willem-Alexander’s birthday is in April, his big 40th birthday bash was postponed until September, for a very good reason: the birth of their third daughter, Princess Ariane. The entire family arrived for the birthday party at Het Loo in a horse-drawn carriage, including the new baby.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
Queen Maxima (who was Princess Maxima in 2007) dressed in festive pink for the party. She also went with bright accessories: pieces from her tutti frutti suite. (Here’s a link to our earlier post on the set.)
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
Here’s a close-up look at her necklace…
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
…and at her bracelet. She’s also wearing her ruby and diamond ring (a gift from Willem-Alexander on the birth of Princess Amalia) on her right hand, and her engagement and wedding rings on her left.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
She paired a relatively simple pair of diamond earrings with the bright jewels.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
Princess Beatrix (who was Queen Beatrix in 2007) wore shimmering red for her sons’s party. Three years later, she wore the same ensemble for the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
She accessorized with ruby and diamond earrings and a diamond riviere.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
On her right wrist, she wore one of the East Indies diamond bracelets. Her engagement and wedding rings are also visible on her right hand.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
Queen Maxima’s mother, Maria del Carmen Cerruti, also attended the party, as did her father, Jorge Zorreguieta. Carmen wore some familiar jewels from her daughter’s jewelry box for the event.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
You’ll recognize these earrings, which feature citrine briolette drops.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
And you’ll also be familiar with this large bracelet, which is set with diamonds and various shades of citrines. A cocktail ring is also visible on her right hand.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
Carmen also wore a stack of rings on her left hand.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau, wife of Willem-Alexander’s younger brother, Prince Friso, wore a soft blue gown for the occasion.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
Her earrings, which feature a floral stud and a pale blue drop, coordinated with the dress.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
We also got to see a hint of a diamond bracelet on her right wrist.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, wife of Willem-Alexander’s youngest brother, Prince Constantijn, wore a flirty floral gown for the party.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
Her earrings appeared to coordinate with the embellishment on the bodice of her dress.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
She also wore a diamond bracelet on her left wrist, plus a ring on her left hand.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
Constantijn and Laurentien helped save the day after the photocall on the palace steps, when little Princess Alexia went rogue.
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| Michel Porro/Getty Images |
Uncle Tijn — who has three little ones of his own — demonstrated some deft parenting skills as he rescued the princess.
Next up: stay tuned for the jewels worn by the members of the extended Dutch royal family!
