Crooked cobblestones, a slightly deep rain puddle: before you know it, your heels are ready for one trash can. Oddly enough, Máxima doesn’t seem bothered by this. Hence the reader’s final question: How does Maxima keep her heels stylish?

If you have one pair of shoes every season, it will be a real accomplishment to be able to put them back in the attic as new at the end of the season. Things are of course very different with Queen Máxima. Over the years, she has purchased more than 350 pairs of shoes, allowing her to wear a different pair every day of the year.

This of course helps greatly in preventing corrosion. If you don’t simply wear shoes, you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged.

In addition, the queen rarely has to walk long distances. In most shows, the car stops a few meters from the door. You walk through the red carpet and at the end of the program this happens again in the reverse order. Pumps don’t get much chance of corrosion.

If there is a tripping hazard inside, this is often prevented at the request of the court. On King’s Day 2018, for example, holes in the floor of the Martini Church were closed or covered with carpet.

Change shoes
Regional visits usually include a nature walk. Previously, the Queen would wear her shoes, so that at the end of the day the high heels were almost black from the plowing.

Nowadays there is a quick change of shoes.

If she has to walk on cobblestones for a while, she will often choose a slightly wider heel. For example, on May 4 (National Memorial Day), Maxima has a pair of clog-resistant shoes in her closet. They reappear almost every year.

These gold heeled shoes are often used during a regional or country visit, where walking is much more involved than during a business visit, awards ceremony or opening.

favorite
My current favorite Maxima shoe is the Court shoe from Gianvito Rossi, with a 10.5cm stiletto heel. The style is now available in no less than 33 colors in the Máxima wardrobe.

Stadium prices range between 700 and 1000 euros. A major investment that fortunately pays off in terms of quality. If a Maxima gets stuck between two paving stones, its heel usually comes out (almost) intact.

That’s why quality is so important, just like maintenance. You can preventively treat suede with an impregnation spray. Since the material has an open grain structure, it is important to intervene if stains appear. Not too quickly, because the suede must first be left to dry and then brushed only (in one direction). Timely replacement of the pin heel is also an advantage. If they wear too much, they can permanently damage your shoes. Maxima has a maid at her disposal for these matters.

Slipping
By “damaging” the bottom of the shoe before use, you prevent slippage. I often do this myself. Sandpaper or a key over it and you’re done.

And last but not least, there is evidence that two pairs of favorite shoes have been damaged due to heavy use. (Since I don’t really like feet, I edited one of the photos.)