Flashback Friday: Máxima's Greatest Hits

My favorite modern magpie turns 40 next week. Like all of us, Princess Máxima has her sartorial flaws (the  Natan overdoses, for example), but when she gets it right, she gets it right. In honor of the birthday girl, today we're flashing back to my favorites moments in which she got it exceptionally right: Máxima's greatest hits.

Evening wear is a particular area of excellence for Máxima, and the purple gown she wore for Felipe and Letizia's pre-wedding dinner (and elsewhere as well) is a perfect example. I'm also a huge fan of the Carolina Herrera she debuted at Queen Margrethe's birthday celebrations last year. It may be too much for some of you, but I think she can pull it off and she pulled off the perfect jewel selection to boot.

But you know I always love her jewel selections, even her wedding tiara. Some say it's a Barbie piece, but I so disagree. I loved it with the orange Valentino gown she wore for her pre-wedding ball and for Märtha Louise's wedding, and with the delicate pink gown she wore for Frederik and Mary's wedding. So pulled together and elegant.

Speaking of elegant, it's hard to top this ladylike gown from her state visit to Belgium. The gloves are just the perfect touch to take it from everyday to exceptional.

Of all her Prinsjesdag outfits, this black and white number from 2006 is my favorite. The full skirt is a princess dream, and the jacket is so very flattering. I also love the way she tucked her sash into the jacket's belt to keep all the emphasis on her waist.

An honorable Prinsjesdag mention goes out to this vibrant pink number from 2003, while she was pregnant with Amalia. It's one of those bright outfits that she can uniquely pull off, and it's a perfect example of some of her most elegant maternity outfits. I also loved this day outfit from her pregnancy with Alexia; it's simple but flattering.

Continuing her run of excellent appearances at royal weddings, I have always loved her pale pink outfit from Felipe and Letizia's 2004 nuptials. The color is toned down, so she could really let loose with the hat, and it's divine. And as we discussed not that long ago, she also made a magnificent hatted appearance at Amalia's christening in pristine white.

Or maybe I just really like Máx in a white suit, because both of these are favorites of mine too. It's just the epitome of chic!

And on that white and chic note, we have to end with the pièce de résistance:

Never. Looked. Better.

Now, let's all give the birthday girl some love: what's your all-time favorite Máxima outfit?

Photos: ANP/Profimedia/Getty Images/AFP/PPE/Rex Features/Polfoto/Wire Image