On Sunday Belgium celebrated the coronation of Prince Philippe and his wife, Mathilde, as king and queen. Now Queen Mathilde, the first Belgian-born queen of the country, takes over the throne. Mathilde’s passion for color and patterns, wild hats, and decadent jewels made her reminiscent of a Belgian version of Jackie O. With pillbox hats and high-collared, classic-cut suits, Queen Mathilde is joining the fashion ranks of international players including Kate Middleton and Michelle Obama. See her style evolution through the years.
On July 21 Mathilde attends the inauguration of her husband in a perfectly tailored cream dress with a high neckline, a light pink envelope clutch, simple pearl earrings, and a coordinating headpiece over her sleek chignon.
Philippe and Mathilde receive members of the committee in charge of institutional reforms in Brussels in July 2013. Mathilde wears a red and white tweed peplum ensemble.
Patrick van Katwijk/Corbis
Princess Mathilde of Belgium arrives for a concert on the occasion of the accession of Croatia to the European Union in June 2013 in a yellow, red, and white printed strapless dress, oversize jeweled earrings, and a small clutch.
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Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde walk during a reception for the participants of the 36th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in May 2013. Mathilde dazzles in a bright green dress, cinched with a thin silver belt, and a pompomlike accent on her left shoulder.
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Princess Mathilde and Prince Philippe arrive for a banquet hosted by the Dutch royal family at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam in April 2013.
Robin Utrecht/AP
Princess Mathilde poses elegantly in a nude beaded evening gown in April 2013 at the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.
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In March 2013 Princess Mathilde visits a milk-products company in a monochromatic suit and knee-high tan suede boots.
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As Mathilde and Philippe visit the Town Hall in Jodoigne, Belgium, in December 2012, the princess wore a bright yellow high-collared top, an olive green pencil skirt, and dangling earrings.
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In December 2012 Princess Mathilde attends the Christmas celebration at Palais de Bruxelles in a dark red velvet minidress with a matching bag and heels.
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In November 2012 Princess Mathilde and Prince Philippe arrive at Cathedrale des Sts-Michel-et-Gudule in Belgium. Mathilde wears a full red ensemble that includes a cape, a headpiece, and petite gloves.
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The couple attends the “Liège à Paris” concert at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in October 2012. Mathilde wears a black and white floral-printed silk dress by Natan, accessorized with a dainty black purse and matching heels.
Dominique Charriau/WireImage
In October 2012 Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde arrive before the religious wedding of Prince Guillaume, the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy. Mathilde wears a copper-colored crepe silk dress, nude platform pumps, and a matching fascinator.
Frank May/picture alliance
Princess Mathilde attends festivities for the Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa in a high-necked flowing red gown.
Pool photo by Benainaous Scorcelletti
In May 2012 Princess Mathilde attends Streetlight, the musical, in her version of cool and casual: a bright red leather coat and a brown fringed pocketbook.
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Princess Mathilde attends the 10th European Business Summit gala dinner at Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in April 2012 in a gray featherlike skirt, a draped shawl, and chandelier earrings.
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In December 2003 Princess Mathilde embraces her passion for color in a fuchsia shawl over her long yellow dress.
Stephane Cardinale/People Avenue/Corbis
Mathilde goes wild and crazy in an Oriental-inspired hat for the wedding ceremony of Belgium’s Princess Claire Coombs and Prince Laurent in April 2003.
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Princess Mathilde arrives to review the National Day parade in a pillbox-style hat and perfectly tailored suit in July 2002.
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