Heads up, royal watchers: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is coming to the Philippines next week!
The queen consort is making her visit to Manila as part of her duties as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). She is scheduled to stay from May 21 to 23 and is expected to meet the president during her time here, too.
If you're not familiar with her work, then it's high time that you start — the Argentine-born queen, married to King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has been accepted by the Dutch as one of their own, popular for her pro-people and progressive stances such as immigrant rights, gender rights, and financial inclusion.
Who Is Queen Maxima? 10 Things to Know About the Queen of the Netherlands
Here are ten facts to know about the visiting royal:
1. She was born and raised in Argentina.
Queen Maxima was born in Buenos Aires on May 17, 1971. She also grew up in the capital and stayed there until she finished with a bachelor’s degree in economics at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina.
2. She belongs to a well-heeled clan.
Her father was Jorge Zorreguieta, who served as Secretary of Agriculture under General Jorge Rafael Videla, Argentina’s 47th president in its last civil-military dictatorship from 1976-1983. Her father comes from the Zorreguieta clan descended from the Basque country in Spain, with her relatives long-time members of the landed gentry, professionals, and statesment. She is also a descendant of King Alfonso III of Portugal through her father’s side.
Her mother’s side also comes from landed gentry.
3. She was in the marketing field before getting married to then-Prince Willem-Alexander.
She was vice president of the emerging markets division of Dredsner Kleinwort Benson in New York in 1999, then moved to work at Deutsche Bank in Brussels from 2000 to 2001.
4. She did not know Willem-Alexander was a prince when they first met.
Their meet-cute is something straight out of a rom-com: they met at the annual Seville Spring Fair in the picturesque city of Seville in Spain, a festival held two weeks before Semana Santa.
The prince only apparently introduced himself as “Alexander” when they met. Where is the Netflix adaptation, people?
5. Her parents were unable to attend her wedding to Princess Willem-Alexander.
Her father’s role as Cabinet Minister to General Videla, who was partly responsible for the National Reorganization Process in Argentina, barred him from being invited to the wedding. Queen Maxima’s mother chose not to attend.
6. She is a staunch supporter of integrating immigrants into Dutch culture.
She was part of a special committee that sought to recommend ways for more immigrant women to join the workforce; she recommended that they learn the Dutch language to fully participate in society, just as she did (and the Dutch love her for it!).
7. She openly supports LGBTQ+ rights and mental health.
Queen Maxima is the first member of a royal family to attend an LGBTQ rights conference in 2008, and is one of few royals to openly show their support for LGBTQ+ rights.
Queen Máxima is also Honorary President of MIND Us, a mental health platform created in collaboration with the MIND Foundation.
8. Queen Maxima advocates for financial inclusion.
Putting her economics degree and work experience to good use, the queen serves as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). She has also been honorary chair of the Money Wise Platform since 2010, educating children and young people on the importance of financial education and helping increase financial awareness and resilience.
She is also a member of the Committee for Enterprise and Finance, helping extend financial opportunities for small businesses in the Netherlands, and advocates for more and successful female entrepreneurs.
9. Her full title is Her Majesty Queen Máxima, Princess of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau.
One of her other alternative names? Mrs. van Amsberg. Cute!
10. She has three daughters.
She and King Willem-Alexander are parents to three princesses: Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, 20, Princess Alexia of the Netherlands, 18, and Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, 17.
We hope you enjoy Manila, Queen Maxima!
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