Princess Máxima Zorreguieta: Argentine Woman En Route To Become First Latina Queen Of Holland

Latin Americans now have yet another reason to celebrate this April 30, when Máxima Zorreguieta becomes the first Latina Queen of Holland after 75-year-old Beatrix of the Netherlands publicly signs her abdication and passes the throne to her son, Willem-Alexander. This event will make the charismatic princess the first Dutch queen consort since 1849, and for the occasion, rumor has it she will opt for a diamond tiara and jewelry, and a pastel dress that will probably be a Valentino creation, since he designed her wedding dress.

Máxima's rise to the throne was very natural, as if she was meant to be a princess. She met prince Willem-Alexander in Seville, Spain in 1999 during a festival. The prince immediately set his eyes on her, asking for her phone number. The only reason why she gave it to him was because he had been very nice, but she actually hoped he'd never use it. After the festival, they both carried on with their lives. Máxima in New York City, where she worked as an investment banker, and Willem-Alexander in the Netherlands, fulfilling his royal duties. But two months later, to Máxima's surprise, she received a phone call from the prince who had traveled to the Big Apple just to visit her.

The Argentine beauty was quickly charmed by his manners, and romance sparked during that visit. They quickly became a couple, but Máxima was still a little shy to tell her parents. She kept changing up the story about Willem until she finally had nothing else to say but "he's the prince of the Netherlands." Three months later, she was introduced to queen Beatrix and a year after that, she moved to the CERAN Language Institute in Belgium to attend a full immersion course in Netherlands' costumes and language.

Máxima had a feeling of what was coming, so she disciplined herself and focused on her studies even though she was away from friends and family. In the end it was all worth it, when she married prince Willem-Alexander on Feb. 2, 2002. The royal couple couldn't be more perfect for each other. Sources reveal that in their home, they don't even have separate offices; they share a space with two desks and work together even though their agendas are different.

The soon-to-be queen is also known for adapting perfectly to the country that adopted her. Even on her wedding day, when her dad couldn't be with her because of his political past and his involvement with the dictatorship in Argentina in the 70s, Máxima accepted the protocol and stated: "As a daughter I find it terrible that my father won't be there, but that's the way it is, and I understand the feelings of the Dutch on the question."

But she also embraces her Latin roots, maintaining dual citizenship. "I am Latin and I will continue being Latin. I dance, I sing and I will keep on dancing and singing," said the princess. Her daughters Catharina-Amalia, Alexia and Ariane are learning Spanish, as they are half-Argentine.

This fun, spontaneous and down-to-earth princess is sure cut to be a queen, and the Latino community rejoices with this excellent representation of the region.