Pearls and Diamonds for Queen Maxima’s Pediatric Oncology Center Visit

On Christmas Eve, how about a closer look at a pearly Queen Máxima brooch that could double as a Christmas tree ornament?

On Thursday, Queen Máxima headed to the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht for a special celebration. During the visit, the Queen met with young patients and their families.

Here, she offers a little bloom to one of the adorable little girls being treated at the center. During the visit, Máxima was present for the signing of an agreement between the oncology center and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The royal court’s website explains, “The partnership focuses on strengthening the practical knowledge and skills of pediatric radiotherapy teams in Eastern Europe and Eurasia, so that children with cancer can be treated more safely and effectively worldwide.”

For the visit to the oncology center that bears her name, Máxima wore an ensemble that would have immediately identified her as “the Queen” to the children being treated there. The ensemble—by Natan, of course—features a regal, sweeping cape, but the soft white color and neutral accessories made the whole thing feel a little less imposing, especially for her meetings with the children in treatment.

With the outfit, Máxima wore a pair of diamond cluster earrings from the family collection. These can be worn with a whole range of pendant options.

The eye-catching accessory from the visit, however, was the large brooch that Máxima pinned to the shoulder of her dress.

The jewel, which features pearly clusters set in a gold-plated design of interlocking circles, is a medallion brooch from an American costume jewelry firm, Jeanne. The company made costume pieces, and their jewels were particularly popular in the 1950s and 1960s.

Queen Máxima finished off the look with a special ring. The jewel features a large orange-pink padparadscha sapphire flanked by three rows of diamonds on either side. It was a gift from King Willem-Alexander in 2005 to celebrate the birth of their second daughter, Princess Alexia.