Queen Máxima joins mourners for Queen Elizabeth's funeral

Queen Máxima of The Netherlands puts on a dignified display in black as she joins husband King Willem-Alexander and mother-in-law Princess Beatrix at Elizabeth II’s funeral

  • Queen Máxima of The Netherlands cut a dignified figure as she joined her husband King Willem-Alexander 
  • Ditching her usual colourful attire, the monarch, 51, opted for all black as she paid respects to the late Queen 
  • King Willem-Alexander, who was the first to RSVP to the Queen’s funeral, is Her Majesty’s fifth cousin 

Queen Máxima of The Netherlands cut a dignified figure as she joined her husband King Willem-Alexander at Westminster Abbey today.

Ditching her usual colourful attire, the royal, 51, opted for all black as she paid respects to the late Queen as she walked alongside her mother-in-law Princess Beatrix, 84, and other European royals.

Looking typically stylish, Maxima opted for a V-neck mourning coat and towering heels with a pill-box hat complete with black netting detailing.

Meanwhile, the Dutch King opted for a traditional black mourning suit and grey trousers, while his mother paired a black coat with a pencil skirt. 

Queen Máxima of The Netherlands cut a dignified figure as she joined her husband King Willem-Alexander at Westminster Abbey today

Maxima, opted for a V-neck mourning coat and towering heels with a pill-box hat with a black netting for the state funeral at the Abbey

Ditching her usual colourful attire, the monarch, 51, opted for all black as she paid respects to the late Queen as she walked alongside her mother-in-law Princess Beatrix, 84 and other European royals

Maxima and Willem-Alexander are seen behind the former King of Spain as they arrive at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth

King Willem-Alexander is seen alongside his mother Princess Beatrix, Spain’s former King Juan Carlos I and his wife Sofia and Princess Charlene of Monaco

King Willem-Alexander, who was the first European royal to RSVP to the Queen’s funeral, is Her Majesty’s fifth cousin once removed thanks to an ancient connection in their family tree. 

Willem-Alexander is a descendant of Princess Carolina of Orange-Nassau, who was the daughter of William IV, Prince of Orange, and his wife Anne, Princess Royal.

Following the death of Her Majesty the Queen on 8 September, the Dutch King and Queen led tributes from foreign royal families to the monarch.

Posting a statement on Instagram signed by Willem-Alexander, his wife Máxima and his mother Princess Beatrix, they commemorated the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

They wrote: ‘We remember Queen Elizabeth II with deep respect and great affection. Steadfast and wise, she dedicated her long life to serving the British people. We feel a strong bond with the United Kingdom and its royal family, and we share their sorrow at this time.

‘We are very grateful for our countries’ close friendship, to which Queen Elizabeth made such an unforgettable contribution.’

Yesterday the couple attended a reception at Buckingham Palace and chatted with royals from around the world. 

King Charles III follows the State Gun Carriage carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s orb and sceptre

The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s orb and sceptre, in the Ceremonial Procession following her State Funeral

The Duchess of Sussex, Camilla, the Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, the Countess of Wessex leave the Abbey. Prince George bites his nails next to his sister Charlotte

Guests arrived for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth, which was held at the famous Westminster Abbey in front of the worlds media 

Representatives of the British military at Westminster Abbey, on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, in London

Máxima opted for a black blouse with a bow around the neck and a black skirt as she attended the ‘reception of the century’ in the royal residence hosted by King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla.

King Charles III and his grief-stricken family surrounded the Queen’s coffin at her state funeral in Westminster Abbey in a moving and majestic farewell to the late monarch today.

Her Majesty made her final and saddest journey to Westminster Abbey from Westminster Hall as Britain mourned its longest-serving monarch and the royals bade goodbye to a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Her coffin was placed close to the altar with her crown, orb and sceptre on its top surrounded by flowers chosen by the King from gardens she loved.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima paid tribute to the Queen in a statement on the Dutch Royal Family’s official Instagram account (pictured: The Queen, centre, Queen Máxima, left, King Willem-Alexander, second from left, the new King Charles III, second from right, Queen Consort Camilla, right, at Buckingham Palace in October 2018)

Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Máxima of The Netherlands pictured sharing a joke during the two-day visit of the Dutch royals to the UK in 2018

King Charles III and his grief-stricken family have surrounded the Queen’s coffin at her state funeral in Westminster Abbey in a moving and majestic farewell to the late monarch today in an extraordinary service followed by a national two minute’s silence and the Last Post.

Her Majesty made her final and saddest journey from Westminster Hall as Britain mourned its longest-serving monarch and the royals bade goodbye to a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Her coffin was placed close to the altar with her crown, orb and sceptre on its top surrounded by flowers chosen by the King from gardens she loved. The Archbishop of Canterbury then hailed the Queen’s ‘abundant life and loving service’ as he delivered the sermon at her state funeral, adding: ‘She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.’

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, stands next to King Charles, Anne, Princess Royal, and William, Prince of Wales, as they salute during the state funeral

The King and the royal family march to Westminster Abbey from Westminster Hall behind her majesty’s coffin on Monday 

Princess Beatrice and Sarah Ferguson looked elegant  as they arrived together at the Abbey ahead of the state funeral for Her Majesty 

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth was draped in the Royal Standard and carried inside Westminster Abbey in front of the mourning royals 

King Charles and members of the royal family followed behind Her Majesty’s coffin into Westminster Abbey on Monday 

State trumpeters from the Household Cavalry sounded the Last Post following the Archbishop of Canterbury’s commendation over the Queen’s coffin and a blessing pronounced by the Dean of Westminster. 

Two minute’s silence followed across the country before Reveille was sounded by the trumpeters before the National Anthem was sung by the congregation.

King Charles looked tearful at points of the service while his sister Princess Anne looked at him with concern and care before fixing her own stare on her mother’s coffin and crown. Prince Andrew looked moved – having been fighting back tears as the family marched behind the Queen’s coffin through Parliament Square.

The King sat at the head of the family, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex behind him in the second row, after more than a week leading the monarchy and the nation in mourning for his mother the Queen. 

Prince William, who marched with his brother behind the coffin, was on the front row. Prince George was reading the order of service during the Archbishop of Canterbury’s sermon, before singing hymns, while Princess Charlotte was seen whispering to her mother, who with William decided to bring them to say goodbye to their great-grandmother.

The King looked very emotional during the singing of the national anthem at Westminster Abbey. Charles remained silent during the song, while his siblings and members of the royal family sang along. Gripping his ceremonial sword, Charles looked downcast as he started straight ahead while a piper played Sleep, Dearie, Sleep.

The UK’s most important church, packed with 2,000 VIPs including prime ministers, presidents and the Queen’s family, was serene aside from the sound of hymns and prayers in a funeral service Her Majesty curated herself before she died.

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried by the Bearer Party into Westminster Abbey past the grave of the Unknown Soldier

King Charles III, Camilla, the Queen Consort, Princess Anne, and her husband Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Prince William, and Kate, Princess of Wales with their children Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Britain’s Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, David Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowden, Peter Phillips, The Duke of Gloucester, Prince Michael of Kent and the Duke of Kent follow the coffin

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