Máxima, Princess of Orange

Princess Máxima of the Netherlands (born Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti on May 17, 1971 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is the wife of Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, heir to the Dutch throne. They were married on February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam. A former investment banker, she is a daughter of Jorge Horacio Zorreguieta Stefanini and his second wife, Maria del Carmen Cerruti Carricart.

Related Topics:
May 17 - 1971 - Buenos Aires - Argentina - Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands - Dutch - Married - February 2 - 2002 - Amsterdam - Investment bank

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The news of the couple's relationship and eventual marriage plans caused a great deal of controversy in the Netherlands. Máxima's father was minister of agriculture during the regime of former Argentine President Jorge Rafael Videla, a brutal military dictator who ruled Argentina from 1976 to 1983 and who was responsible for many atrocities against civilians. (An estimated 10,000-30,000 people disappeared during this and subsequent military regimes before democracy was restored to Argentina in 1983). The significance of his potential connection to the Dutch royal family, and his possible presence at a royal wedding, was hotly debated for several months.

Related Topics:
Relationship - Netherlands - Jorge Rafael Videla - Dictator - 1976 - 1983 - Atrocities - Civilians

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Prime Minister Wim Kok gained much respect for his negotiation of the situation. In the end, approval for the marriage was granted by the Dutch parliament (necessary by law for Willem-Alexander to remain heir to the throne) but Máxima's father was not allowed to attend the wedding.

Related Topics:
Wim Kok - Dutch parliament - Wedding

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Máxima was granted Dutch nationality on May 17, 2001. This provoked complaints from the left, since such a grant before marriage is not customary in the Netherlands (but required by Dutch law for a royal bride). Under normal circumstances, it is only possible after the marriage and usually takes several years to obtain.

Related Topics:
May 17 - 2001 - Left

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After her marriage, she became the most popular person in the Royal Family of the Netherlands.

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The couple's first child was born December 7, 2003 in The Hague. The baby girl, Catharina-Amalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria, is second in line to the Dutch throne. Their second daughter, Alexia Juliana Marcela Laurentien, was born on 26 June,2005 in The Hague. She is third in the line of succession to the Dutch throne.

Related Topics:
Child - December 7 - 2003 - The Hague - Catharina-Amalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria - Daughter - Alexia Juliana Marcela Laurentien - 26 June - 2005 - Line of succession to the Dutch throne

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Note: Although married to HRH the Prince of Orange, Maxima is styled HRH Princess Maxima of the Netherlands. The last Princess of Orange was Princess Sophie of Wurttemberg who married the then Prince of Orange, later HM King Willem III. Nowadays the opinion is that only the heir to the throne may carry the title ´Prince of Orange´

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