You are quite right. It seems most Dutch Royal tiaras rest directly on the head (even if an extra wire frame exists). I have only seen Beatrix with a padded (extra) base of the Diamond and Pearl Tiara.
It depends on the weight of the tiara, the size and shape, the hairdo but ultimately the preference of the wearer I suppose. And a good hairstyle can cover the frame with or without padding. But I think even a very heavy contraption as the Wedding Gift Tiara or the House Diamond Tiara have not been worn with a - at least visible - padded frame.
--Previous Message-- : I have noticed in a number of photographs of : Queen Maxima that there is no padding around : the frames of her tiaras. Because of their : hairstyles it is very difficult to tell if : previous Queens also wore tiaras without : padding on the frames, although in some : photographs of Queen Wilhelmina it would : appear that there is none. : Would anyone have any insights regarding : this. :