Such a plot is not uncommon for fairy tales from different countries. But miracles happen in life. The history of the present Queen of the Netherlands convinces us that true love is stronger than ancient customs and intrigues of courtiers, stronger than distances and language barriers.
Today, the young queen is happy in marriage, respected by the crowned relatives and loved by subjects. But what path did Maxim have to go to achieve such heights?
Life before meeting the prince
Maxima Sorregieta Cherruti was born in Argentina on May 17, 1971. It mixed Spanish and Italian blood.
Maxim's family was not poor, the girl never had to endure a need. Her father, Jorge Sorregieta, served as Minister of Agriculture under the then dictator Videl.
The girl grew up in a large family: she had two siblings and a sister, as well as three older sisters from her father's first marriage. Maxima received a good education: she graduated from Northlands School in Buenos Aires, and then the Department of Economics of the University of Argentina.
A career, quite successful, she managed to build quite quickly. While still a student, she began working in the field of software markets. At 25, Maxima took over as vice president of relations with Latin America at HSBC James Capel Inc. - one of the largest financial conglomerates in the world. In connection with the new work, the girl moved to New York.
Acquaintance with Alexander
The future Queen Maxim could not imagine how one youth party in Seville would turn her fate. It was there that in 1999 the girl met a charming young man who introduced himself simply as Alexander. The young monarch intentionally concealed information about his situation from a new acquaintance.
Later, when Alexander confessed to Maxim that he was the first contender for the throne of the Netherlands, she frankly burst out laughing at him. The girl did not believe that it was so easy to meet the future king. But under the pressure of facts, ultimately she had to accept the truth.
The next meeting happened a couple of years. Moreover, according to the future queen, by that time she had stopped thinking about the young monarch. But he could not forget the pretty laughter.
Prince Willem-Alexander himself spotted Maxim and flew to her in New York. It was there that the lovers realized that they no longer wanted to leave. In the same 2001, an engagement was announced.
Sins of the fathers
But it is not for nothing that the old song says that kings can do everything, but marrying for love is a luxury inaccessible to them. The decision about this wedding should have been made not only by Alexander and Maxim.
Crowned relatives and members of parliament refused to accept the daughter of a colleague of one of the most bloody dictators of Latin America into the family. Alexander was strictly forbidden to marry. The question was about abdication.
Love turned out to be stronger
To the surprise of many, the young prince accepted the news quite easily. He stated that he was ready to cede the throne, but never to abandon his Maxima. God alone knows what difficulties the lovers had to face then. But Maxim and Willem-Alexander did not even think of parting.
Fortunately, the situation was resolved. Prime Minister Wim Kok stood up for the young lovers and was able to convince everyone that the children are innocent of the acts of their parents.
Maxim was accepted. They accepted, despite the fact that for more than a century the Dutch princes married only German princesses. Accepted, despite the ambiguous reputation of her father.
In March 2001, Queen Beatrix and Prince Klaus made a statement about the upcoming marriage of their eldest son Alexander to Maxim Sorregiet. In May of that year, the girl received citizenship.
Prior to meeting her future husband, the girl was fluent in her native Spanish and English, she also knew French well. To overcome the language barrier, she had to hurriedly learn Dutch, which she is fluent in today.
The next obstacle that the lovers had to overcome is related to religion. Prince of Orange and Hispanic Maxim belonged to different faiths. The girl adopted Protestantism.
Before the wedding, Maxim was waiting for another test. She signed a protocol in which she promised not to invite her father to official events. This decision was not easy for Maxim, but Jorge Sorregieta fully supported his daughter. He was not at her wedding, but the warm relationship between them remained until his death (2017).
The young queen of the Netherlands
The wedding took place on 02.02.2002. After the ceremony, held by the Mayor of Amsterdam, Job Korchen, the young people went through a wedding ceremony. Despite the fact that the girl does not come from the royal family, she was granted the title of princess. A personal emblem was developed especially for the young princess.
The official title of Maxima today is the Queen Consort (from April 30, 2013). This means that she is the legal spouse of the ruling king, but she is not a monarch herself.
Young princesses
Once upon a time there was a king, and he had three daughters … So many tales begin. The same words can be said about the family of the king of the Netherlands.
- December 7, 2003 in The Hague, Katarina-Amalia was born. Today it is the first in the list of candidates for the throne.
- Her sister Alexia was born on June 26, 2005. Maxim's father became one of the godparents of the young princess.
- On April 10, 2007, the third daughter of Maxim and Alexander, Ariana, was born.
From birth, the children of Queen Maxima have titles. Citizens in communication with the princesses use the appeal "Your Royal Highness."
Light of Kindness
It may seem that the queen simply knows how to "hold her face." In the photo Maxim sparkles, always smiles, even the spider line around his eyes that appears with age adds charm and charm to her. But those who are personally acquainted with Maxim assure that her every smile is absolutely sincere. Nationals call her that - a smiling queen.
In the Netherlands, they love her. This is largely due to the good nature of the Queen, her willingness to help, and cordiality. Maxim gives a lot of charity. She is an active patron of the foundation for supporting young artists.
Princess of Monaco Charlene speaks very warmly about Maxim. Women do not see each other too often, but are very friendly. According to Princess Charlene, a friend always supports her, helps with good advice.
Warm feelings connect Maxim with another crowned person - the Crown Princess of Japan Masako Owada. It is known that Masako was depressed for a long time due to health problems and did not go out for several years. Just one conversation with Maxim was enough for the Japanese princess to agree to arrive at the coronation of Alexander-Willem in 2013. According to Masako, Maxim has the gift of a psychologist.
Maxima was the first queen to personally attend a conference on the protection of the rights of sexual minorities. She openly supports the LGBT movement, but as her associates say, this is not at all connected with PR. The queen simply believes that everyone is worthy of love, everyone has the right to express their feelings.
Royal style
Queen Maxima does not like boring outfits. She knows how to create rich, but at the same time incredibly harmonious images, elegant and memorable, but not at all pretentious.
At the wedding, Maxim appeared in a luxurious white dress, quite modest, even deaf. The main accents were sophisticated lace inserts, an incredible train and a luxurious heavy veil.
In everyday life, Maxim pays due attention to accessories. Among her favorite colors are bright and pastel.
