Female MPs and senators attending the inauguration of new king Willem-Alexander have been requested not to wear large hats to the ceremony, according to media reports on Thursday.

Officials have written to all parliamentarians stating that women should wear ‘afternoon attire’ and a large hat would be undesirable. This is because during the ceremony, all MPs and senators have to swear an oath of allegiance and their faces must be visible.

The men have been asked to wear a dark suit, Nos television reported.

The inauguration of Willem-Alexander takes place on April 30 in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. The ceremony will not involve a coronation and there are no religious aspects to it.