Princess Máxima, who is married to the Dutch crown prince, Willem-Alexander, is celebrating her 40th birthday today. National polls have repeatedly shown that she is the most popular royal, before her husband and Queen Beatrix.

Máxima's birthday is the occasion for a number of exhibitions, documentaries and special magazine issues.

Public broadcaster ZDF in Germany, a republic with an almost feverish interest in royalty, will be airing a portrait of Princess Máxima produced by Dutch broadcaster NOS. The film, called "Princess Charming" shows the queen-in-waiting during her daily work as microfinance ambassador, wife of a prince and mother to three daughters.

Among her many roles, Princess Máxima is also Radio Netherlands Worldwide's Lady Protectress, a largely ceremonial role.

The celebrations are to be concluded on 27 May with a concert in Amsterdam's Concertgebouw.

(rk/ae)

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