King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima
Royal family releases new state photos
Royal couple: Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and his wife, Queen Máxima.
© RVD – Anton Corbijn
Ten years on the throne: To mark the anniversary, the Dutch palace has published new photos of King Willem-Alexander and Máxima.
King Willem-Alexander (56) has been on the Dutch throne for more than ten years. On the occasion of the tenth anniversary, which was already celebrated in April, The palace has now published new state photos of the monarch and his wife, Queen Máxima (52).
State photos and an intimate portrait
In the photos, Willem-Alexander is wearing a black tuxedo with various royal orders, including the Knight Grand Cross of the Military Order of William and the Star of the Grand Cross of the Netherlands Lion. Máxima sits in front of her husband in a floor-length tulle dress in pastel pink.
The Argentinian-born woman wears the impressive Stuart tiara, which has been part of the Dutch royal family’s jewelry collection since the 17th century and is one of Máxima’s favorite pieces. She combines it with a matching necklace and diamond earrings. She also wears two medals: the Grand Cross in the Order of the Netherlands Lion and the Knight’s Star in the House Order of the Golden Lion in Nassau.
In addition to the joint state photo, the palace also published individual portraits of Willem-Alexander and Máxima as well as an intimate black and white photo showing the two holding hands. According to the statement, the photos were taken at the beginning of September by photographer Anton Corbijn in the gallery hall of Noordeinde Castle.
Willem-Alexander and Máxima got engaged in 2001, when he was still crown prince. They tied the knot on February 2, 2002. In 2003 they became parents of a daughter for the first time, followed by two more daughters in 2005 and 2007. On April 30, 2013, Willem-Alexander ascended to the Dutch throne after his mother Beatrix (85) abdicated.