Golden stamp issued in Bonaire on the occasion of Queen Máxima’s 50th birthday.
THE HAGUE--Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, who celebrated her fiftieth birthday on Monday, has granted an interview about her “love, work and life” to Dutch television presenter Matthijs van Nieuwkerk, which was broadcast Monday evening on TV station NPO 1.
Máxima said that after her wedding to then crown prince Willem-Alexander in 2002, she would drive around the Netherlands “wearing a black wig and carrying a big map” to explore the country. She would chat to people “to practise my Dutch” and eat “bitterballen” [a typical Dutch snack – Ed.] in bars, she told a beaming Van Nieuwkerk.
The queen also said she relished the time she could spend with her family because of coronavirus. “I have to admit that before corona I was travelling too much and I was secretly relieved I didn’t have to, particularly now that two of our children will be leaving home soon.”
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands (left) interviewed by Dutch television presenter Matthijs van Nieuwkerk. (Rotapool/Koen van Weel photo)
Princess Amalia will be taking a year off after her final exams, but it is not yet known what she will do. Princess Alexia will be studying at United World College of the Atlantic in Wales, which her father also attended.
Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte was among those congratulating the queen on her birthday. On Twitter, he said Máxima “had seen Sarah,” a traditional but kindly Dutch way of suggesting that women who turn 50 are now of “a certain age.”
Dutch men who turn 50 “see Abraham”. Abraham and Sarah are biblical figures who had a child together at a very advanced age.
In honour of the 50th birthday of Queen Máxima, the Royal Dutch Mint has minted a silver “Proof 5” guilder commemorative coin on behalf of the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten. The coin shows the portrait of Queen Máxima on the obverse. The laurel wreath on the left symbolizes celebration, appropriate for a birthday. The diamonds on the right represent resilience and purity.
The reverse contains the coat of arms of the Netherlands Antilles, the denomination “5 G”, the country designation and the year 2021. The commemorative coin can be ordered.
In addition, the Netherlands, St. Maarten, and the Caribbean Netherlands are issuing golden stamps in honour of the queen’s birthday. In the Caribbean Netherlands, the stamps are issued by FXDC Post. The stamps come in a luxury storage package and are collector’s items. Editions are limited.
