ARGENTINA: Excitement in Argentina over Dutch crown princess Maxima as royal handover nears

Record ID: 447382

  • Title: ARGENTINA: Excitement in Argentina over Dutch crown princess Maxima as royal handover nears
  • Date: 29th April 2013
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF CARAS MAGAZINE FEATURING DUTCH CROWN PRINCESS MAXIMA
  • Embargoed: 14th May 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: International Relations,Royalty,Quirky,Politics,Royalty
  • Reuters ID: LVAAMJSMZF5WF311BHYAQVSO8330
  • Story Text: The countdown to the Dutch Royal handover causes excitement in Argentina, the home of Princess Maxima, who is set to receive the unofficial title of Queen.


    The announcement that Queen Beatrix will pass the crown to her eldest son Willem-Alexander on Tuesday (April 30), making him the first King of the Netherlands in over 120 years, has created excitement in Argentina, the home of his wife Maxima, who will receive the unofficial title of Queen.
    The news has dominated recent headlines and magazine covers in Buenos Aires.
    Argentine newspaper vendor, Julio Gartegaray, said he's seen a surge of interest in Maxima-related coverage.
    "Maxima has caused a lot of excitement. A lot of space both in magazines - here as well as in foreign magazines such as Spain's Hola, which will run everything about the ceremony - have been reserved. There is a lot of (magazine) space here so there is a lot of anticipation," he said.
    The intrigue surrounding Maxima's rise puts Argentina in the headlines, explained Victoria Fernandez Alonso, a young Argentine actress.
    "The fact that she's Argentine is interesting and that's it. The fact that we're being more closely heard and it also sort of means that Argentina exists. The fact is that not a lot is known about Argentina in the world," she said.
    Student Santiago Meyer added that Maxima's high profile can help people learn more about Argentina.
    "Also, it's positive because she's a woman who came from here and she learnt everything we, the people and society taught her and she is able to externalise that," he said.
    Willem-Alexander's 2002 marriage to Maxima caused controversy in the Netherlands because her father, Jorge Zorreguieta, served in Argentina's military dictatorship more than 30 years ago.
    But Maxima quickly endeared herself to the Dutch and a poll showed she is now as popular as the queen and even more popular than her husband. The same Ipsos poll found that 78 percent of Dutch are in favour of the monarchy, up from 74 percent a year ago.
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