IKing Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands during swearing in and investiture ceremony

So many thoughts. First, from pictures, Queen Maxima looked like she was VERY emotional all day (in a good way). Second, I suspect that dress is great, and it also sort of reminds me of a blue version of the Gwyneth Paltrow Tom Ford Oscars Cape/Dress combo. That is a compliment. Finally, I enjoy any formal event that employs ermine. That is how you KNOW someone is the King.

Prince Willem Alexander and his new bride Maxima

Their wedding was in 2002, so it was before our time. I thought you'd want to see a snap of it. I love her dress.

Queen Maxima

THAT is a TIARA. (You can read the history of it at The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor; it amuses that they also noted that Maxima was GOOPing it up in her blue gown. Great minds.)

Inauguration Of King Willem Alexander

What was I just saying about ermine?

The King and Queen with their Royal Guests

"Hey, guys!! Everyone! YOU GUYS. IT'S GROUP PHOTO TIME. Charles, put down that mini-quiche and stand over here."

The Princesses

These are the Princesses: Alexia, Catharina Amalia, and Ariane. It's cute they're all coordinated -- both with each other, and their mother, and Queen Beatrix, who was also in this shade of blue. Does that blue have a significance, or was it just an aesthetic choice? I know someone reading this will know the answer.

Princess Beatrix kisses King Willem-Alexander

This was just a great picture.

The Royal Family

Maxima is very pretty indeed; I wish I could get a better look at this dress. It also seems classy and appropriate and very soft and romantic? There might be a neck bow, but what better time for a big, fancy neck bow than on the Royal Balcony, being all royal?

Now Princess Beatrix

She looks rather bittersweet here, no?

A Guest

And, now, to everyone else. For example, this unidentified woman, who is clearly all, "Oh my god. Did I say I wanted the chicken? I want the fish!"

Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned of Qatar

She's Wife #2 of the Emir of Qatar. How do you think the Wives decide who gets to go to what? Maybe she got to come to this because she had that AMAZING NECKLACE she wanted to show off. She looks so chic.

Prince Albert

"HEY NETHERLANDS! My wife was mysteriously double-booked for this thing! LET'S PARTY! No, seriously. I've had at least two children with a variety of different ladies -- topless models, air hostesses, you name it! CALL ME!"

Princess Letizia and Prince Felipe of Spain

Letizia is pulling out the stops for this particular event. She looked fabulous at the dinner, and she looks fabulous here. That hat is all you want from a hat at a royal event.

Prince Daniel of Sweden and Princess Victoria of Sweden

SPEAKING OF HATS. I enjoy that everyone already seated to her right appears to be thinking, "I wonder whose face is hidden behind that INSANE GIANT WONDERFUL HAT."

Crown Princess Victoria and Crown Prince Daniel of Sweden

Pretty classy, Victoria. Well played, you two.

Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan

The press noted today that this is the Princess's first official overseas trip since 2002, when her stress-related illness really began to affect her, and she's only going to attend certain events. He seems very happy to have her by his side and I have a lot of sympathy for her.

Princess Mathilde of Belgium and Prince Philippe of Belgium

I kind of love the pink.

Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco

I wish everyone would just turn and pose properly! I want to be able to properly judge this possibly fabulous caftan.

Crown Prince Haakon, and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway

Mette-Marit is 0-2 at this particular investiture.

Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein and Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein

PIVOT, so we can better see her dress, you guys. PIVOT.

I do, I must admit, like that color very much. Sophie might be looking more youthful than she did last night. After only being aware of these two for 24 hours, I have worked up a whole story in my head about how she never wears sunscreen and does a lot of gardening and doesn't care about frivolous things.

Chuck and Cams

Camilla looks fine. She LOVES a giant feathered hairpiece, doesn't she? Charles looks like he's ready to get defensive if anyone asks him if (a) HIS mother will ever do this for him, or (b) he's planning on just stepping aside so William and Kate can get to the throne sooner. (I suspect the answer to both is a very posh HELL NO.)

Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette of Orange-Nassau,

THIS is what I'm talking about. Hats + Brocade = Drama.

Prince Maurits of the Netherlands and Marie-Helene Angela van den Broek

This is also enjoyable drama. This guy, and the one previous, are both cousins of the king (I think) and now that Beatrix has abdicated, they are no longer in any way in line for the throne AND, Wikipedia notes, "will also cease to be members of the Royal House." Way harsh, Tai.

Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven

You recall him as the man who almost lost the tip of his finger in a scuba-diving incident, and she as the woman whose name is "screw you" to the Nazis.

Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Princess Anita

More cousins. Her entire look is very romantic and pretty. I feel like she would not look out of place running through a field of tulips.

Princess Stephanie and Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg

OH STEPHANIE. That hat rather makes you look as if you ought to be GARDENING in a field of tulips. Why? Last night was such a success! Do better next time!

Fugs and Fabs: The Abdication of Queen Beatrix/the Inauguration Of King Willem Alexander

For a lot of the scoop on who all these royal folks are, check out our post on last night's celebratory dinner. Also: this looks like it was a fun day, Fug Nationals of the Netherlands! SO MANY HATS, for one thing. Sooooooo many hats. And official sashes! And outfits involving swords! (Many of which we get a good look at, because for some reason, the photographers were assembled on the side of the Royal Step and Repeat that the men were walking on. Dudes, you're blocking the hats!) [Photos: Getty]