In her capacity as the UN Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, Queen Maxima of The Netherlands gave an opening speech at the online event ‘G7 Partnership for Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion in Africa’, hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Among other speakers at the event, there were French finance minister Bruno le Maire and Melinda Gates.
Last year, the Group of Seven (G7) outlined an agenda to fight inequality. As part of this agenda, the G7 Partnership for Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion in Africa will support African governments, central banks, and financial institutions in their efforts to build more inclusive, sustainable, and responsible digital financial systems, ensuring that 400 million more African adults are financially included—nearly 60 percent of whom are women.
Third photo; not sure what the mess is about the waist area, looks bad
ReplyDeleteNothing better to do?
DeleteWhen people sit down, they pull up their skirt or pants a little and you will have some creases on the sides. This is almost inevitable. Do people on this blog have real lives?
DeleteLovely excuberantly flowing glossy head of hair..... there is some justice in this world. Not even the largest amount of money can buy you a decent head of hair.....
ReplyDeleteWhat an evil comment!
DeleteWhat a stupid thing to say.
DeleteWhat are you doing to make the world a better place? No one cares if you have a great head of hair. Make a positive change on a global scale and maybe someone will take the time to look at your tufts of fur. Until then, no one cares about your thoughts.
Queen Maxima looks lovely ,fit and appropriate .
ReplyDeleteWell, let’s say the tulips and the vase look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 11.05PM: Ha !!! :)
DeleteNot much in the way of fashion going on here. I love the beautiful inlaid wood patterns on the table. ~Laurel~
ReplyDeleteNot much fashion but a reminder of what a smart and intelligent lady this is. On this blog, since that is it's purpose, we focus on what she wears---and today's blouse is unexciting fit for purpose--but it's good to see her using her influence and expertise in a worthwhile cause like this
ReplyDeleteHow do you know that she is a smart and intelligent lady?
DeleteSorry, I Had to make this joke: Meghan M. does often buy a head of shiny hair with money.
ReplyDeleteTrust me--you did not have to make it. It was not the least bit funny.
DeleteNext time keep it to yourself. Not the slightest bit funny and completely tone deaf.
DeleteMaxima looks nice. The table is what really catches my eye. The wood inlay design is gorgeous.
E.B.B.
Well anonymous @ 12:26 & 10:23, if your intention was to be funny, I really think you should keep your day job, comedy isn't your thing.
ReplyDeleteNot much fashion to speak of here, just a regular business meeting, she looks OK.
This really made my day. :(
ReplyDeleteQueen Maxima looks appropriately dressed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bunch of evil comments!! She looks totally fine to me. Would be interesting to see the hair of all of you (evil people) here. To me it seams like you are just jealous. She is a very beautiful and intelligent woman. Nice blouse and that creamy white suits her very well.
ReplyDelete/Marie
The anti queen Maxima brigade is back again, fasten your seatbelt!!!!
DeleteSmart lady.
ReplyDeleteFew - if any - royal ladies participate in such complex initiatives for the betterment of women globally. This woman is not only about opening garden centres and coo-ing at babies while sitting demurely in a park, or wearing flamboyant hats and riding a bike together with her citizens. She also means business and gets down to it, and as such she is dressed appropriately for as much as she is visible to the public on camera. You go, Max!
- Anon 9:13
Well said!
DeleteI am glad, that the Queen like Mrs. Gates and her ideas about our beautiful new world.
DeleteI wonder why anyone would ask photographers in in this situation.
ReplyDeleteAnd when you do: clean your table and smile once for one picture.
The blouse is o.k., the necklace to tight and the hair..
If it did not occur to you, @Anon 10:45, until know, here comes enlightenment: Photographers are there for the cause she supports, not for fashion.
Delete(-Ann.)
I agree with much of what you say; I wondered whether the grim facial expression was perhaps meant to convey a serious, businesslike mood (giving Maxima the benefit of the doubt here 😁). The clutter on the table does do an injustice to that lovely room, imo, especially given that someone had gone to the trouble to provide such a beautiful floral centerpiece. Small quibbles, perhaps, but such details do make an impression — good or bad — and could easily have been dealt with prior to the photos being taken.
Delete@ Jane Chantal, are you serious?
Delete>> grim facial expression<< ===> she is concentrating and listening to the other person on the Zoom call
>> convey a serious, businesslike mood<< ====> are you for real? Do you even know what Maxima is doing here???? Maxima is speaking on behalf of the UN!!!! (you know what the UN are, don't you?), giving the 'opening speech' for a online G7 event!!!! (you know what the G7 are, don't you?) =====> this is business and politics on the highest level. Maxima does not have to pretend anything, she very intelligent, highly educated and acknowledged for her expertise and her role.
>>clutter on the table<< There is no clutter. There is an empty cup of tea, a glass of water, her phone, some papers and documents, which she obviously needs for the conference. The only personal thing is a lip balm. Which I totally understand, I always have one handy. And a face mist,. Staring on a screen for hours dries out my skin, my eyes and my lips. Clutter? Come on! Again, I start to wonder if some people on this blog even know real life, at least not business life.
End of my rant. Back to fashion: Maxima looks great. Off white, flowing fabrics and a monochromatic style always work good for her. The golden curb chain choker necklace is a classic. As it is Maxima, it has to be bigger than the usual one ;-) I wonder if it is heavy, it is a bit to tight for my taste.
Nothing to be said about fashion, but hair looks much better.
ReplyDeleteThese are strange pictures: Just one would have been enough.
ReplyDeleteShe has not had very good press lately. I appreciate she wants to show that she's smart and does some good. Fashion wise her blouse seems too tight, and without make up she looks aged and pale. This is just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe anti queen Maxima brigade are in full force again!!!.
DeleteFor heavens sake I wish I looked that good when I am in my own study crouching over Zoom or Skype and obviously concentrating on the meeting. Why would you smile when you are obviously taking part in something that has nothing to do with who is behind the camera. I love that she is just sitting at her work table with all the usual type of chaos that most of has have on our corona desks when working. Empty coffee cup, papers, pencil and what looks like a lipstick that really endears me to her. My only quibble is I don't like the eye makeup much. I also agree her necklace looks a bit tight. If I was working at home that is the first thing I would throw in a corner onto the desk it would irritate me as soon as I arrived home
ReplyDelete@Beth, Yep, I'm serious! And for real! 🙂 Try to calm down, Dear. Are the mildly-worded opinions I expressed really so outrageous? Good grief. Lol.
ReplyDelete@ Jane Chantal, well, you see, on this blog we come from different backgrounds and languages. In my language the word 'grim' is not a mild expression, it is very harsh and offensive. And maybe it is not the same for you. To assume that somebody is not actually working, but puts a severe face on to appear to be working and look businesslike ......you may think it's kind of funny, I'd say what a strange thing to think. A teacup and a few papers on a desk while engaging in a video conference for you is 'clutter'? For me it looks well organized and a beautiful office or library.
DeleteDifferent people, different views. And everyone to their opinion. It just puzzles me, that when there is literally nothing to critisize, people will still find something. We can leave it there. Don't worry, I am calm. Interesting thing is, that often the exact people who like to throw out provocations are the ones to tell others 'calm down' ;-))
@Beth..... calm down. We get it that you think Maxima is very important for the good of us all. But here comes another blow: I do not think so. She is irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteLily T.
Don't be so silly Lily T.
DeleteShe can't possibly be irrelevant. What on earth would we discuss if she was not so outrageous in some of her hat choices or bicycle riding ability in stilettos. She is definitely "Ingeburgerd " in the Netherlands if she can ride her bicycle with skirt and hat flying with such aplomb.
@Nalerina..... her hat choices and biking ability make her relevant...... haha, thank you: you did just prove my point.
ReplyDeleteLily T.
lol @ LilyT. I think you need to read a book about how to make a point, 'cos you're not very good at it.
DeleteAnd while you're doing that, read one about sarcasm too, because you're even worse at understanding Nalerina's skill in it when it's applied to you. Best laugh of the day! :)
- Anon 9:13
Hi Lily T, apparently she's relevant enough for you to make snarky comments about her...
Delete@Beth, exactly: different people, different views, and I believe that your response to my comments expressing a different view from yours was -- to put it mildly -- an overreaction.
ReplyDeleteIt is surprising, but helpful, to know that the word "grim" apparently has such varied connotations depending on one's native language. Certainly my intention was not to be provocative or controversial. Different people, different views. All the best to you.
I am pleased that so many readers feel the need to educate me on all kinds of things..... thank you so much for taking me and my comments that (or is it dead) serious!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
Lily T.
Conclusion of the above discussion:
ReplyDelete-She has a grim expression
- the table is an unnecessary mess
- we donot know if she really is relevant because every royal of Europe has an honorary function in the UN
- we differ in our opinion or the above said
-amen
My goodness, what a lot of “interesting “ discussion about a blouse and trousers. I think she always looks good in a monotone outfit, and I like the simple chunky necklace. The real star for me is the room itself - the beautiful inlaid table and the blue and white pottery - gorgeous! (V.M.)
ReplyDeletePost a Comment
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