In a simple champagne-coloured silk dress, with a high neck, lace veil and five metre train, and with diamonds glittering at her ears, wrist and in her hair, Maxima Zorreguieta looked every inch the princess of Orange that she was about to become. The 29-year-old former financier had arrived punctually on the arm of her soon-to-be husband, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, at Amsterdam’s Beurs van Beurlage, a former stock exchange, for the civil ceremony.
The only sign of nerves came from Maxima’s mother-in-law, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, whose hands were clasped tightly together as she saw her eldest son plight his troth to his Argentine love. Maxima, as befits a future queen, smiled throughout the ceremony, which was conducted by the mayor of Amsterdam, Job Cohen.
As the mayor opened the ceremony, he told the international congregation not to worry if they couldn’t understand Dutch; the only word that should interest them, he joked, was “Ja”. And, around ten minutes later, Willem Alexander turned to his bride and said the word. Maxima wept tears of joy: and her bridegroom squeezed her hand in an intimate gesture.
A minute later, it was Maxima’s turn to say “Ja”. And, shortly after, when Mayor Cohen pronounced the couple man and wife, the historical building was filled with the sound of applause, as the 600-strong audience which included friends, family and dignitaries, made their pleasure known.
After the Crown Prince of Orange and his new wife had signed the register, it was the turn of the witnesses. First up was Willem’s mother, who Maxima had asked to be her main witness, and Prince Constantijn, who was acting for the groom. When it was the turn of Maxima’s brother Martin, he turned to his sister and gave her a secret signal, causing the princess to stop her tears.
Following the 30-minute ceremony, Willem-Alexander and Maxima left the Beurs van Berlage hand in hand: their first action as man and wife was to call Maxima’s parents, who were watching the ceremony in London.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
