Latest news with #Willem-Alexander


Sunday World
6 days ago
- Sunday World
Irishwoman went through ‘absolute nightmare' after alleged rape in Amsterdam, court told
The incident was filmed by on-lookers and was widely circulated on social media. An Irishwoman in her 30s who was allegedly raped in Amsterdam says she remembers nothing of the incident, a public prosecutor told a pre-trial hearing for the case. The suspect, who is an Italian national in his 20s, is accused of raping the woman on King's Day earlier this year. The Dutch holiday, which is held annually on April 27, marks the birthday of the Netherlands' current king Willem-Alexander. According to Dutch media, the hearing heard that after the woman was taken to the hospital following the incident, which occured at approximately 6.30pm in the evening, she was told that something sexual had happened to her. She was then unable to recall anything about the incident and she did not recognise a photo of the suspect. File photo of Amsterdam. Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 17th The case has garnered national attention in the Netherlands after several videos of the incident began circulating on social media. Onlookers had filmed the encounter that occurred in broad daylight between two parked cars along the Keizersgracht canal. In the days following the alleged rape, the mayor of Amsterdam asked the public to stop sharing the 'deeply humiliating' videos. "What happened on King's Day can only be described as an absolute nightmare", the prosecution stated in the first introductory hearing ahead of the trial. They stated that the alleged victim only reported the incident after she had been videos of it in Ireland and realised it was about her. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the woman was clear that she did not want to have sex and she 'had no complete control over her movements'. The woman was heavily drunk and was heard telling the man to stop in the video footage of the incident. It was said that the man and the woman did not know each other before the day in the question as they had met earlier that day. Bystanders intervened in the incident and pulled the man away from the woman, with police then arriving soon after. The man was not initially arrested as it had been suggested by bystanders that the two knew each other. The man initially told police that the two had sex and 'made love' but later stated he did not remember anything about the evening in question. Defence lawyer Sophie Hof described the situation as 'complex' and passersby may have been observing due to seeing two people 'kissing and stroking'. "This case is not black or white. He doesn't remember anything. He is ashamed, towards the victim, and how he could get so drunk,' she added. The court was asked to lift the pre-trial detention of the man but the request was not granted on the basis that the man is a flight risk. The trial will begin in October.

Mint
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Who is Queen Maxima? Everyone is talking about the lady who allegedly mocked Donald Trump at NATO summit
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands grabbed attention in a bright lime-green jumpsuit at the NATO summit in The Hague. She and King Willem-Alexander warmly welcomed leaders from 32 countries, including US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France's Emmanuel Macron. This was the first time the Netherlands hosted a NATO summit. The 54-year-old, Argentina-born queen stood out during the group photo with her stylish outfit. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands is admired for her fashion, charm and courage to speak on tough topics like immigration and LGBTQ+ rights. Unlike other royals, she and King Willem-Alexander skipped a grand coronation and sent their daughters to public schools. Queen Máxima met Willem-Alexander in 1999 in Spain, not knowing he was a prince. Their romance grew in New York, where she was working. However, her father's role during Argentina's dictatorship caused controversy. Queen Máxima met King Willem-Alexander at a party in Spain in 1999 while working at Deutsche Bank. Their love story faced problems after Dutch media revealed her father, Jorge Zorreguieta, was a minister during Argentina's military dictatorship (1976–1981). It was a period when thousands were killed or went missing. Though he claimed he didn't know about the violence, Dutch reports found that unlikely. Since Máxima had no part in it, the Dutch Parliament allowed her 2002 marriage to Prince Willem-Alexander, who stayed in line for the throne. But, Jorge Zorreguieta was not allowed to attend the wedding due to her father's past. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is being accused of making fun of Trump. Trump was in The Hague for the NATO summit on June 24–25 and visited Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander at their royal palace. While posing for photos, Trump smiled widely and gave a thumbs-up to the cameras. A video clip now going viral on social media shows Queen Maxima allegedly copying his facial expression soon after he said 'thank you'. Many believe she forgot the cameras were still filming. The moment has led to mixed reactions online.


India.com
26-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Ahead of Giorgia Meloni, beside Trump and Macron..., Meet the woman everyone's talking about after NATO summit
The Netherlands is hosting the 2025 NATO Summit, bringing together leaders from all 32 member countries. To mark the occasion, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima held a grand dinner for the heads of state and government leaders. Among the special guests was US President Donald Trump, along with other world leaders who received a royal welcome. This was the first time the Netherlands played host to a NATO summit. Queen Maxima, known for her grace and fashion sense, looked stunning at the event in a lime green jumpsuit. She has always stood out for her style and charm during such high-profile events. Who is Queen Maxima Maxima was born on May 17, 1971, in Argentina. Before becoming queen, she had a successful career as an investment banker in New York. She graduated in economics from the Universidad Catolica Argentina in 1995. Even during her university days, she worked in the Sales Department of Boston Securities SA in Buenos Aires, according to the official website of the Royal House of Netherlands. At the time, she also taught children and adults, English, and mathematics to secondary school pupils and first-year students. It was in 1999, at a party in Spain, that she met Prince Willem-Alexander. At that time, she was working as an economist for Deutsche Bank in New York. The two fell in love, and in 2002, they got married. That's when she officially became Queen of the Netherlands. Their love story, however, wasn't without trouble. At one point, Dutch media reported that Queen Maxima's father had served as a minister during Argentina's 'Dirty War' under the military junta, causing public concern. But despite the controversy, Maxima won hearts with her warmth, intelligence, and dedication. She is not just a queen known for fashion, Maxima also works actively for social causes. She has spoken openly about the importance of learning the Dutch language, immigration issues, and LGBTQ+ rights. Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander have three daughters: Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane. Maxima's attention to detail According to the New York Post, she once ordered fabric 100 days in advance to prepare for the royal wedding of Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Saudi architect Rajwa Al Saif. After the NATO summit, the member nations issued a joint statement promising to boost collective security. European countries also agreed to increase their defense spending to 5% of their GDP over the next ten years.

AU Financial Review
25-06-2025
- Politics
- AU Financial Review
How NATO's ‘daddy strategy' conquered Trump
It was a reception fit for a king. The pillows had been fluffed at the Dutch royal palace. King Willem-Alexander had a special guest staying overnight and a key role to play in the careful choreography unfolding in The Hague for the NATO summit with the singular goal of making sure US President Donald Trump didn't pull the plug on the world's biggest military alliance.


Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Queen Maxima, 54, reveals the secrets behind her appearance: From spectacular treatment from her OWN Palace salon to the relatable things we can all do...what is it that keeps the Dutch monarch looking so incredible?
The ever-glamorous Dutch royal proved yet again that age is just a number as she stepped out at the NATO summit this week in a jaw-dropping bespoke Natan Couture lime green jumpsuit. Arriving alongside King Willem-Alexander at the summit's formal reception in Brussels, Máxima was nothing short of luminous. Her sleek, wide-legged jumpsuit, cinched effortlessly at the waist and clung in all the right places, accentuating her statuesque 5'8 frame. Paired with matching green Gianvito Rossi pumps and a bouncy blow-dry, she looked more Bond girl than bureaucrat's wife. There are few royals quite like Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. At 54, the Argentine-born queen consort brought her signature touch of glamour to the stage, without upstaging the importance of the event. The bold choice of lime green, while unorthodox, was pitch perfect. Not too loud, not too safe. It was regal, commanding, and a little bit rebellious, exactly what the Dutch Queen has mastered over the years. Rather than enlisting a fashion stylist to create her looks, Máxima shares a longstanding and close relationship with Belgian fashion designer Edouard Vermeulen, the creative force behind the couture house Natan. Since their initial meeting in the early 2000s, Vermeulen has become a trusted designer for Máxima thanks to his designs which are renowned for their elegance and simplicity. Over more than two decades, she has worn his creations for numerous official engagements. However, the foundation for Queen Maxima's fabulous fashion is her fantastic figure, which is reportedly all down to one diet in particular, that is also loved by Sarah Ferguson. The ketogenic diet regime is low in carbohydrates, but in contrast, high in fats. The lack of carbohydrates makes your body go into a process called ketosis, which makes you burn fat for energy. Together with this she follows a method developed by a Dutch company called New Fysic which consists of a diet high in protein, eliminating carbohydrates, sweets and a few fruits and vegetables completely. Alongside her diet, the queen trains with a personal fitness coach several times a week. Her preferred workout? A combination of Pilates, swimming, and strength training, all designed to maintain long, lean muscle without bulk. These workouts are paired with brisk walks around the palace gardens, the occasional bike ride when the Dutch weather cooperates and her love of Argentinian dance, such as the tango. When it comes to hair, Máxima is mainly in the hands of Martina Stanislavova, whose salon La Martina is in The Hague near Noordeinde Palace, but she also works with the hair and makeup artist Elles Nijkamp, who created Máxima's whole look for Willem-Alexander's inauguration in 2013. The Dutch royal family have their own hair salon in Huis ten Bosch Palace that was recently renovated to add a few more stations for the team of hairdressers, and it is here where Martina uses hair extensions and hairpieces to create Máxima's signature look, the asymmetrical or side bun. Queen Máxima's approach to royal dressing has always been delightfully different, more Milan catwalk than Buckingham Palace drawing room, and yet somehow never inappropriate. Since assuming the role of queen consort to her husband King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in 2013, Queen Maxima has demonstrated a proclivity for fashioning whimsical styles with an unapologetic use of colour. They have added a few more stations for the team of hairdressers, and it is here where Martina uses hair extensions and hairpieces to create Máxima's signature look, the asymmetrical or side bun Frequently blending Dutch designers with global powerhouses, she has a clear signature. Bold hues, structured tailoring, wide-brimmed hats, and a distinct lack of trepidation around unusual silhouettes and architectural lines. It's regal, yes, but with a touch of flair that feels refreshingly personal. One week she's in a sleek cape dress in sapphire blue, the next she's sporting a navy trench dress with zesty orange gloves and pumps. Her style doesn't just follow trends, it sets them. She understands the power of fashion to communicate strength, grace, and modernity, dressing like the queen she is, but always with personality. Even her accessories tell a story. She often wears family heirlooms, including the breathtaking Dutch Sapphire Tiara or pieces once owned by Queen Juliana. But she'll just as readily step out in costume jewellery from Zara or vintage finds. The result? A look that is as accessible as it is aspirational. Whether it's her glowing complexion, enviable figure, or that famously bouncy blonde blow-dry, there's something about Máxima that captivates, effortlessly blending glamour with substance. She's not trying to look younger or fit into someone else's mould. Instead, she's embracing who she is - a wife, mother, queen, and global figure - with confidence and flair. That, more than any designer label or clever cut, is the secret to her timeless appeal. Whether she's dazzling in designer couture at a state banquet or rocking bold colours and statement hats on official engagements, Máxima continues to look fashion-forward and fabulous. While the world's cameras zoomed in on world leaders, it was Queen Máxima who stole the show at NATO, not by shouting the loudest, but simply by showing up, radiant and regal in lime green. A queen in every sense of the word, bold, brilliant, and still breaking the mould, one sensational outfit at a time.