Queen Maxima Netherlands princess of orange
It's a happy day in the Netherlands as orange-bedecked cheering crowds welcome King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima as the newest Dutch monarchs.
And it was quite a day for Máxima in particular, who was born a commoner and had never dreamed of becoming a royal, let alone queen.*
The Argentinian-born beauty has been a beloved royal in the Netherlands for more than 10 years now, and with her new title she is about to take the world by storm.

Máxima can speak three languages — Dutch, Spanish, and English 

— and has a degree in economics. She worked as the Vice-President 

of Institutional Sales at Deutsche Bank in NYC before marrying the prince.

Máxima can speak three languages — Dutch, Spanish, and English — and has a degree in economics. She worked as the Vice-President of Institutional Sales at Deutsche Bank in NYC before marrying the prince.

Eventually, the marriage was approved by the Dutch parliament, 

but Máxima's parents were not invited to the wedding. 

Princess Máxima and Prince Willem-Alexander were married on 

February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam's 600-year-old Nieuwe Kerk church.

Eventually, the marriage was approved by the Dutch parliament, but Máxima's parents were not invited to the wedding. Princess Máxima and Prince Willem-Alexander were married on February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam's 600-year-old Nieuwe Kerk church.

The couple now have three daughters together, including the nine-year-old 

heir to the throne Princess Catharina-Amalia.

The couple now have three daughters together, including the nine-year-old heir to the throne Princess Catharina-Amalia.

Máxima is a dual Argentine and Dutch citizen, and focuses on the issue 

of integration of immigrants into Dutch culture, particularly women in the workforce.

Máxima is a dual Argentine and Dutch citizen, and focuses on the issue of integration of immigrants into Dutch culture, particularly women in the workforce.

She is also one of the few royals in the world to be an open supporter of gay rights. 

She even attended a LGBT rights conference on March 5, 2008.

She is also one of the few royals in the world to be an open supporter of gay rights. She even attended a LGBT rights conference on March 5, 2008.