Princess Catharina-Amalia dazzled at a state banquet on Tuesday evening, wearing a tiara with special sentimental value—one she used to play dress-up in as a child.
The 21-year-old Dutch royal joined her parents, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, in welcoming Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman to the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. For the occasion, she wore the historic Mellerio Ruby Parure Tiara, created in 1888 by French jeweler Mellerio dits Meller for Queen Emma of the Netherlands.
In a charming nod to her childhood, the Dutch Royal House previously released a never-before-seen photograph of a nine-year-old Amalia trying on the very same tiara in her mother’s dressing room. The photo was shared in 2021 to celebrate her 18th birthday and the release of her authorized biography.
“I love tiaras,” the princess shared with author Claudia de Breij. “Show me a tiara, and I’ll know where it came from. I can recognize all the tiaras of Europe. I used to put them on from my mother—there’d be one on her makeup table, and I would place it directly on my head.”
For the state dinner, Catharina-Amalia wore an elegant lavender gown by British designer Safiyaa London, a caped silhouette that has quickly become a favorite of hers. The look is reminiscent of a similar style worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during her 2018 visit to Fiji.
She completed the ensemble with coordinating ruby earrings, a brooch, and a bracelet from the same parure collection. Her blonde hair was swept back in soft waves, and her makeup featured shimmering eyes and a soft pink lip.
Since her tiara debut in 2022 with the Dutch Star Button Tiara, Catharina-Amalia has embraced her royal role with grace, wearing other notable heirlooms such as the Ruby Peacock Parure and Queen Emma’s Sapphire Tiara.
Currently, the princess is studying Politics, Psychology, Law, and Economics (PPLE) at the University of Amsterdam as she prepares for her future role as Queen of the Netherlands.
