Engagement Willem-Alexander & Máxima
March 30th, 2001 - After months of speculation: the answer finally came today: at 6 p.m. Her Majesty Queen Beatrix announced the engagement of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his Argentine girlfriend Máxima Zorreguieta.
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The press presentation took place
at Palace Noordeinde in The Hague. Immediately after Prime Minister Kok addressed the
nation explaining how was dealed with the situation concerning the bride's father, Jorge
Zorreguieta. Zorreguita himself decided not to attend the engagement and the wedding,
which will take place early next year.
After a press conference from the Prime Minister (note: these took place at the Binnenhof!), the newly engaged couple had their first press meeting at Noordeinde, were Máxima made her first public appearance. Both bride and groom - to be addressed the nation (in Dutch!). Máxima openly distanced herself from the Videla regime. The couple also took time to answer questions from reporters.
Willem-Alexander proposed to Máxima on January 19th at Palace Huis ten Bosch. Alexander asked his girlfriend to go skating at one of the ornamental lakes, were he popped the question. Máxima was suprised, but immediately answered 'yes'. The ring Willem-Alexander gave his fiancée, was designed by himself.
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After the press conference, the couple had a photo sessions and then went on walking from Palace Noordeinde to Willem-Alexander's residence, which is next to the Palace. The couple took a lot of time greeting the hundreds of people, shaking hands and taking flowers.
Pictures:
- Official picture, posing on the stairs of Palace Noordeinde
- At the door of Willem-Alexander's residence (Noordeinde 66)
- Greeting the people outside
- More greetings
- Máxima greets people
- The couple
- At the press conference
- The ring
- Máxima shows the ring
- With Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus
- The couple in love
- During the tv announcement
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Speeches (on the site of my friend Netty):
Links (Dutch):
- Algemeen Dagblad
- De Telegraaf
- NRC Handelsblad
- Volkskrant
- Trouw
- Radio Nederland Wereldomroep
- NOS
- NOVA
- Nationaal Felicitatieregister
- Koninklijk Huis
- Het Belang van Limburg (Dossier Máxima - Belgian newspaper)
Links (English & Spanish):
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Make your choice:
Wedding/ Engagement
- Alexander and Máxima
- Constantijn and Laurentien
- Cristina and Iñaki
- Filip and Mathilde
- Maurits and Marilène
- Bernhard and Annette
- Alexia and Carlos
- Pavlos and Marie-Chantal
- Haakon and Mette-Marit
Births and Christenings