Queen Máxima opens up about language struggles after joining royal family: ‘It wasn’t easy’

Seville’s famed Feria de Abril forever changed the destiny of the Dutch royal couple. In 1999, both attended the Spanish city’s legendary festival, crossing paths in the private tent of the Real Club de Andalucía, better known as AERO. There was no love at first sight, at least not for her, but a friendship slowly blossomed into romance.

After early dates in New York, the couple became engaged on February 19, 2001, a day that forever changed the life of Máxima Zorreguieta, who transitioned from a successful finance executive to the official partner of a European crown prince. 

She left her career behind, moved to The Hague, and quickly became a highly visible member of the royal institution, winning public affection. But her beginnings were not easy, and she has now revealed the biggest obstacle she faced.

Lieke Gaarlandt became one of the most important figures in Máxima’s early days at court. As a woman with no royal blood marrying an heir to the throne, something unprecedented at the time, Gaarlandt, a lady-in-waiting to then-Queen Beatrix, took on the mission of helping shape her into a future princess. 

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For years, she introduced Máxima to Dutch culture, from local customs and landmarks to the protocols of royal life. Before settling into what would become her permanent home, Máxima studied the language in New York and at the CERAN Institute in Spa, Belgium. 

She also relied on television programs and the word game Lingo to improve her fluency. Her then-fiancé also helped by teaching her Dutch phonetics using the names of local streets.

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True to her natural warmth and humor, Queen Máxima recently recalled the challenges of learning Dutch during her early years in the Netherlands. She admitted that learning the language “wasn’t easy” and shared a funny misunderstanding involving the word boterham, which means a slice of bread and is part of the traditional Dutch breakfast. 

She made audiences laugh by explaining that “in the end, it just turned out to be a slice of bread and had nothing to do with butter or ham.” The story was also meant as a message of encouragement to members of the Takecarebnb Foundation, which provides temporary housing with Dutch host families for refugees awaiting residency permits. 

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As a personal detail, she continues to speak Spanish at home with her daughters. Those early struggles, which she now recalls with humor, are part of the beginning of a love story that has stood the test of time. 

On February 2, 2002, the couple celebrated a memorable royal wedding at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. More than two decades later, they remain convinced that teamwork is the key to their relationship.

“We support each other. Sometimes we are very busy, but we try to keep communicating. We try to have fun together, even in our work. And in every moment we can share,” the couple has said.

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Their greatest pride is the family they have built with Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane, whom they describe as “a huge source of joy and responsibility.”

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has also acknowledged that over nearly three decades, there have been many happy moments, but also difficult ones they have faced together. “Of course there have been low moments. The death of my father, my brother, my father-in-law, my sister-in-law… But then you remember the good moments to support each other. We simply have a great time together.”