Queen Máxima has been married for 19 years today
A hundred times I have cried to Adios Nonino on the bandoneon when I saw Máxima's tears rolling down her cheeks. What a marriage it was, so much love, but also sadness and longing. Today we celebrate that Máxima Zorreguieta has officially been a little bit ours for 19 years. A perfect reason to dive into the most delightful love facts.
1. Who is that grumpy person?
Máxima and Willem-Alexander were both invited to La Feria de Abril. Someone had asked Máxima to take some photos, but when she aimed her lens at ‘a big blonde boy’, he looked very irritated. Of course, Máxima didn't know she was dealing with the man who, as a young boy, shouted: ‘All Dutch press get lost!’ and had a small trauma when it came to being photographed without permission. Máxima would later have asked who that grumpy piece was. When Willem-Alexander heard that the blonde Argentine was also part of the group, he quickly changed his mind and they danced the whole evening.
2. Marriage in New York
They saw each other a few weeks later.
3. Rollerblading on New York asphalt
The two managed to experience many anonymous weekends in New York. Rollerblading is their favorite activity, and Willem-Alexander says that if he could choose a souvenir from that time, it would be a piece of asphalt they rollerbladed on together.
4. ‘What about a swimsuit?’
Meanwhile, Máxima is invited by Queen Beatrix to meet them that summer in Porto Ercole. Máxima works on Wall Street at Deutsche Bank and shops ‘like crazy’ during breaks for the perfect meeting outfit. When she tells Willem-Alexander this, he says: ‘What about a swimsuit?’
5. Beatrix zero critical
The queen, known for criticizing her son's girlfriends, immediately embraces Máxima. However, she is urged to learn Dutch quickly, which she of course does right away.
6. Máxima in the phone book
You still had those back then. Phone books. And Máxima Zorreguieta was just in there.
7. 225 West 20th Street
That's where she lived, in case you want to make a small royal pilgrimage there.
8. Cipriani Downtown
That's where they ate before Edwin Smulders caught them with his camera. By the way, Victoria Beckham held her shows there for years, but that's beside the point. It also reminds me of the moment I bought 1000 euros worth of makeup from Victoria Beckham. Just read.
9. Who is that diligent student?
After learning Dutch with a private tutor for a while, Máxima went to Ceran Lingua, an institute where many diplomats learn another language. Máxima was registered there under a different name, and her teacher only found out a year later who his diligent student really was.
10. Hofvijver with debris and holes
But still, Willem-Alexander dared to invite Máxima to skate there. She couldn't do that either, but keeping her rollerblading skills in mind, Willem-Alexander thought it shouldn't be a problem. He was right: she could do it but got cold and wanted hot chocolate. He had something else. Champagne and roses, hidden in the teahouse. And a small package. And yes, she said ‘yes’.
11. The dress
Have you ever seen a more beautiful, more understated wedding dress than Máxima's? Made of ivory mikado silk with a bénitier neckline (a wide, slightly standing collar) and a five-meter train from Valentino Couture in Rome.
Next year, twenty years married. Maybe it's time for a little renewal of the vows? I'm looking forward to it again. 22-02-2022? Seems like a beautiful date to me.
More Máxima? Here is my ultimate love declaration to the queen.
