Crown Prince Willem-Alexander could not, perhaps, have chosen a better bride than the Argentine Máxima Zorreguieta. This month, Princess Máxima celebrates 10 years in the Netherlands. Long enough for her to advise Kate Middleton, the future bride of England’s Prince William: "Stay true to yourself. It's a lovely job.” Worldwide Editor Marco Hochgemuth describes Princess Maxima in 10 points. 

Maxima as party animal 
The first images of Máxima in the Netherlands came in September 1999, with video footage of a nice beach party in Argentina: a young woman dancing, drinking and laughing in the company of some Latin American hunks. It was also at a similar party that Willem-Alexander met Máxima in 1999. With her camera, Máxima rushed at the prince. Willem-Alexander was shocked. "What are you doing? Who the hell is she?," thought the prince. He acknowledged later, "It was love at third sight." 

Watch a video report in English about the 10th anniversary of Princess Máxima's engagement with the Dutch crown prince.

Maxima as integration example 
In a country in which immigration is high on the political agenda, Máxima has done her best to serve as an integration example. When the couple was presented to the Dutch people on March 30, 2001 on live television, she spoke good Dutch with a charming Spanish accent. Months of lessons and numerous consultants have instructed her on all aspects of Dutch citizenship. The expensive integration course was completed in September 2001 with an introductory tour of all 12 provinces and four cities. 

Máxima as daughter
Máxima is the daughter of Jorge Zorreguieta, Secretary of Agriculture during the junta in Argentina, when thousands of regime's opponents disappeared between 1976 and 1981. The Dutch prime minister at the time, Wim Kok, launched an immediate investigation into Zorreguieta’s role in 2000. The result: Máxima’s father must have been aware of the situation, but it was virtually impossible that he was personally involved in the human rights violations. In early 2001, Willem-Alexander referred to a letter submitted to an Argentine newspaper that portrayed the junta in a different light. An ugly slip because the letter was from junta leader Jorge Videla himself. Máxima later made good during the announcement of their engagement saying: "He was a bit dumb." 

Máxima as bride 
Willem-Alexander asked Máxima to marry him during an afternoon skate. As it should be, the prince dropped to his knee. Máxima later said about it: "I was very cold, but I wholeheartedly said yes!" At the wedding, on 02/02/2002 in Amsterdam, Máxima was radiant in her classic Valentino gown. Her father was barred from attending the ceremony. But it yielded yet another historic Máxima moment: tears when banoneón player Carel Kraayenhof played Adios Nonino in the Nieuw Kerk. 

Máxima as philanthropist
Máxima’s next success as a princess was in building a career of social service. She is involved in numerous initiatives focusing on women and youth.  As an economist, Máxima is an authority on micro-financing. She was appointed special UN adviser in the field of microfinance and spoke last year at the global event, "Microfinance: Who profits?" 

Máxima as fashion icon 
Over the past 10 years, Máxima has grown into a fashion icon. In the beginning she appeared in high-necked suits and Beatrix-like dresses. Now, her dresses are lavish and her heels higher. Máxima shops in Italy and France and is a fan of Valentino, Graciela Naum and Jan Taminiau. She wore her most striking outfit last year at the presentation of the Edison Awards: a black leather dress, high black boots and loose hair with a pair of large earrings. The audience gave the fashion princess a warm welcome, but critics found it “good for a rock chick, not for a princess." 

Máxima as a mother 
The wife of the future king should provide for the throne. That is a role Máxima has fulfilled with verve. Three daughters now run around on the estate in Wassenaar: Amalia (2003), Alexia (2005) and Ariane (2007). Máxima is admired for involving social responsibility in the upbringing of the princesses. In this way, Amalia had to empty her piggy bank last year for earthquake victims in Haiti. Máxima is also active helping out in daughter Amalia’s class, acting as a lice mother and scouring children’s heads during outbreaks.

Máxima as future Queen
Queen Beatrix is reported to be a few years away from abdicating the throne. Then Máxima will become Queen of the Netherlands. But in a different role than her mother-in-law; Beatrix is the head of state, Máxima only the wife of. And it is possible that her role will be limited. Dutch politics is growing increasingly in favour of having the king (or queen) in only a ceremonial function. Now, the queen is officially part of the government and has a role in forming a new cabinet. 

Máxima as Argentine 
Although Máxima received Royal Dutch citizenship on her 30th birthday, she is still a full-blooded Argentine. She even has an Argentine passport, much to the chagrin of Geert Wilders, leader of the Freedom, who is strongly against dual passports. But Argentine law does not require her to renounce her Argentine nationality. Soon, the Netherlands will have an Argentine queen, one who listens to Mercedes Sosa, a Roman Catholic living in the Dutch reformed palace and speaking to her children in Spanish. 

Máxima as ‘koekhapster’
Máxima has grown accustomed to the symbolic child’s game of ‘koekhappen’ or ‘biting the cake’ on Queen’s Day. But another cake-incident really brought Máxima a bite of the cake. “In the Netherlands you get just one biscuit with your coffee,” she said during a 2007 speech about her quest for Dutch identity. "But the Dutch identity, that I have not found." The statement caused a storm of criticism from Dutch people who do believe in a national identity, including political parties such as the CDA, VVD and PVV. During the same speech, Máxima also said: "As a consolation, I can tell you that the Argentine does not exist." 

(lo)

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