Prince Willem-Alexander and Maxima Zorreguieta wed in a civil ceremony in Amsterdam's former stock exchange
VOA News
2 Feb 2002 15:50 UTC
Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander has wed Argentine investment banker Maxima Zorreguieta in a civil ceremony in Amsterdam's former stock exchange.The ceremony Saturday, was witnessed by a gallery of kings, queens, dukes and counts, and other dignitaries including Britain's Prince Charles and former South Africa President Nelson Mandela.The bride wore an ivory-colored silk gown made by the European designer Valentino, while the crown prince wore his dark blue navy uniform.Thousands of cheering spectators waved Dutch flags and wore orange hats and scarves in support of the ruling House of Orange. Though the ceremony was devoid of religion, the newlyweds immediately left for the 600-year-old Nieuwe Kerk, or new church, next to the royal palace, to stand before a Dutch Reformed minister and a Catholic priest and have their marriage blessed.Ms. Zorreguieta is an extremely popular figure in the Netherlands, despite an earlier controversy over her father's ministerial post in Argentina's military dictatorship. To allay criticism, she denounced the regime her father had served. Jorge Zorreguieta did not attend the wedding.ap, afp
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