Royal Wedding Rewind: King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima’s Wedding (2002)

Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his new bride Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta wave after their wedding February 2, 2002 on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam

Twenty years ago today, the world watched as the Prince of Orange, future King of the Netherlands, married his Argentine fiancée, Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti. Let’s look back at the remarkable jewels worn for the celebration in Amsterdam on February 2, 2002.

Dutch Crownprince Willem-Alexander and Maxima arrive at the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam for their civil wedding ceremony, Saturday 02 February 2002

Willem-Alexander and Máxima were wed in a pair of ceremonies in Amsterdam on 02/02/2002. The first was a civil ceremony, held in the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam.

 

Maxima Zorreguieta (L) and Dutch Crownprince Willem-Alexander (R) sign their marriage certificate during their civil marriage 02 February 2002 in the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam

The couple were married by the Mayor of Amsterdam, Job Cohen. The witnesses were family and friends. Willem-Alexander’s witnesses were his brother, Prince Constantijn, and two friends, Marc ter Haar and Frank Houben. Máxima’s witnesses were her aunt and godmother, Marcela Cerruti Carricart; her brother, Martin Zorreguieta Cerruti; and, touchingly, Queen Beatrix. As we’ve discussed previously, Máxima’s parents did not attend her wedding. The choice of her new mother-in-law as one of her witnesses was reportedly a gesture from Máxima to thank Beatrix for her unwavering support throughout the relationship.

 

Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his new bride Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 arrive at the church before their marriage in Amsterdam

After the civil ceremony, the bride and groom traveled to the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam for the religious wedding ceremony. The historic church and museum was also the site of Willem-Alexander’s investiture in 2013.

 

Above, I’m embedding video of the religious wedding ceremony and the procession that followed. It’s a long video, but if you want to see a highlight, I’d suggest skipping to about 26 minutes in, when the couple make their vows. After each of them says Ja, the crowd watching on screens outside cheers so loudly that it echoes through the church, making the entire congregation (and Alexander and Máxima) laugh. “They heard your answer,” the officiant deadpans after the future king’s response. Both of them are clearly so touched that the Dutch people are so excited for them. It’s great.

 

Another frequently discussed moment from the ceremony is the playing of Adiós Nonino, an Argentine tango by Ástor Piazzolla. The song, which was written in memory of the composer’s father, was played as a tribute to Máxima’s Argentine roots and to her parents. She wipes away tears throughout the playing of the song. I’ve included a separate video with just that portion of the service above.

 

Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his new bride Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta leave the Church February 2, 2002 following their wedding in Amsterdam

After the religious wedding ceremony, the couple departed the church to the sounds of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.

 

Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his new bride Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta arrive February 2, 2002 at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, Holland after their wedding

They rode through the streets of Amsterdam after the ceremony in the nineteenth-century Golden Coach (which has recently been retired by the family).

 

Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his new bride Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta wave after their wedding February 2, 2002 on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam

The newly-married couple, now the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima, appeared on the balcony of the Royal Palace to greet the people gathered below in Dam Square.

 

Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his new bride Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta kiss after their wedding February 2, 2002 on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam

They delighted the crowd with a traditional kiss during the balcony appearance.

 

Dutch Crownprince Willem-Alexander and Maxima Zorreguieta pose for the first time in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam Saturday 02 February 2002 on the day of their wedding. Next to Willem-Alexander are his parents, Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus and Prince Bernhard, the father of Beatrix

The families posed together for a formal portrait after the wedding. On the right are Willem-Alexander’s family: Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus, Prince Friso, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien, and Prince Bernhard. Maxima’s family is on the left. Though her parents did not attend, the rest of the family was present, including all of her siblings and half-sisters, as well as her aunt. Her sister, the late Inés Zorreguieta Cerruti, was one of her bridesmaids. The bridal party also included two of Willem-Alexander’s cousins, Juliana Guillermo and Theresa von der Recke. One of the pageboys, Johann-Casper von dem Bussche-Haddenhausen, is also a cousin of the prince. The rest of the attendants were family friends.

 

Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his new bride Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta leave the Church February 2, 2002 following their wedding in Amsterdam

Now, let’s get to the topic most of you are really interested in: the clothes and the jewels! Máxima’s ivory silk and lace wedding gown was designed by Valentino. She wore a cathedral-length veil that matched the length of the gown’s sixteen-foot train.

 

Thousands of people on the streets of Amsterdam and millions on TV screens watched the marriage of Dutch crownprince Willem Alexander and Princess Maxima on 02 February 2002. The enchanting couple show their luck at the balcony of the Royal Palace at Damsquare where thousands of people are gathered

The bridal ensemble was accessorized with diamonds. Máxima wore a new setting of an heirloom tiara for her wedding. The Dutch Star Tiara is made by combining the base of the Pearl Button Tiara with five of Queen Emma’s ten-pointed diamond stars. She also wore a pair of diamond drop earrings and a diamond bracelet on her right wrist.

 

Queen Beatrix of Holland and Prince Johan of Holland arrive for the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

I’ve managed to track down images of most (but sadly, not all) of the royal guests who attended the ceremony. Here, Queen Beatrix arrives on the arm of her second son, the late Prince Friso. She wore pearls for the occasion, including a gorgeous diamond and pearl cluster brooch.

 

Dutch royal couple Queen Beatrix (L) and Prince Claus (R) leave the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, 02 February 2002, the day of the wedding of their son Crownprince Willem-Alexander with Maxima Zorreguieta

Prince Claus was at Queen Beatrix’s side as they left the church after the wedding. Prince Claus had been in ill health for some years, and in October 2002, he passed away from complications of pneumonia and Parkinson’s Disease.

 

Princess Laurentien of Holland and her husband, Prince Constantijn arrive at the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

Prince Constantijn, the groom’s youngest brother, attended the wedding with his wife, Princess Laurentien. They were expecting their first child at the time. Countess Eloise was born in June 2002.

 

Princess Laurentien of Holland arrives February 2, 2002 at the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta in Amsterdam

Princess Laurentien wore pieces from the Dutch Fire Opal Suite for the wedding.

 

Princess Margriet of Holland and her husband Meester Van Vollenhove arrive at the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

All three of Willem-Alexander’s royal aunts were in attendance as well. Here’s Princess Margriet with her husband, Pieter van Vollenhoven. She wore pearls for the occasion. You can’t see it in this image, but her wrap is covering a lovely pearl cluster brooch with pearl pendants.

 

Princess Irene of Holland (C) holds the hands of Prince Bernhard of Holland (L) and Princess Christina (R) at the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

Princess Irene and Princess Christina attended with their father (and the groom’s grandfather), Prince Bernhard. Princess Irene wore lovely diamond drop earrings for the occasion, while Princess Christina wore pearls. I also spy a classic diamond and sapphire cluster ring on Irene’s hand.

 

Martin Zorreguieta and wife arrive at the church for the wedding of Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

Here’s Máxima’s brother, Martin Zorreguieta Cerruti, arriving for the ceremony with his wife, Mariana Andrés.

 

Britain's Prince Charles arrives at the church for the wedding of Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

There was a large foreign royal contingent at the wedding. They arrived for the wedding in large coach buses. Here, the Prince of Wales sits on a bus near his brother, the Earl of Wessex.

 

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Prince Charles walked in to the church with Queen Noor of Jordan, who wore a turquoise ensemble with a lovely white lace headscarf.

 

Countess of Wessex Sophie Rhys-Jones and Prince Charles of Britain are on the way to the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Argentine Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

And here’s Charles with his sister-in-law, the Countess of Wessex. Sophie wore her diamond and pearl wedding earrings for the ceremony, plus a three-stranded pearl necklace.

 

Queen Silvia and King Carl Gustav of Sweden leave the Royal Palace on their way to the New Church in Amsterdam to attend the wedding of Prince Willem-Alexander and Maxima Zorreguieta 02 February 2002 in Amsterdam

Pearls really were the most popular adornment on the day. Here’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. She piled on the pearls, wearing a three-stranded necklace and a five-stranded bracelet. She also wore the same pearl and diamond brooch that Princess Madeleine had borrowed for the dinner at the Royal Palace two days earlier.

 

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden arrives for the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

Crown Princess Victoria wore a lovely pair of earrings that appear to have a diamond bow detail with topaz accents.

 

Princess Madelaine of Sweden arrives for the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

Princess Madeleine wore a choker necklace made of ribbon with hoop earrings to match.

 

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Queen Margrethe II of Denmark wore her modern diamond and pearl drop earrings with the pavé-set square studs. She also pinned an antique brooch to her hat: it’s the Connaught Pearl Bar Brooch, which Margrethe received from her great-aunt, Princess Patricia of Connaught (Lady Patricia Ramsay) as an eighteenth-birthday gift in 1958.

 

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Margrethe’s sister, Queen Anne-Marie, wore red for the wedding. She accessorized with pearls, diamonds, and rubies, including a little diamond heart brooch.

 

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Crown Princess Marie-Chantal wore a pair of diamond earrings with black pearl drops.

 

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I don’t have a photograph of Princess Benedikte from the wedding that I can share, but she wore a gray outfit with black fur accents. Her elder daughter, Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, wore jewels set with diamonds and amethysts.

 

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Queen Sonja of Norway loves a bold color moment, and this wedding was the perfect opportunity for her to pay tribute to her hosts by wearing bright orange. She accessorized with diamond and pearl earrings and a pearl choker necklace.

 

Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway arrive for the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

Small diamond stud earrings and a diamond and ruby ring were Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s major accessories for the event.

 

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Princess Märtha Louise of Norway wore a beaded choker necklace and coordinating earrings.

 

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Queen Paola of the Belgians wore baroque pearl earrings and a pearl necklace for the ceremony.

 

Princess Matilde of Belgium and husband Prince Phillip of Belgium arrive for the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

The Duchess of Brabant wore hoop earrings with her red and black outfit.

 

Princess Astrid arrives for the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

And then, there’s Princess Astrid of Belgium, who wore gorgeous diamond and pearl earrings. They were overshadowed a bit by … everything else.

 

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Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg also got the pearl memo for the wedding.

 

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Her daughter-in-law, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, wore gold-toned earrings with her fur-trimmed outfit.

 

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Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg wore pearls for the occasion, too.

 

 

Princess Christina of Spain arrives for the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

Infanta Cristina of Spain wore one of her most elegant jewels: the diamond and emerald brooch she inherited from her grandmother, the Countess of Barcelona. Sadly, the brooch’s details got a bit lost against Cristina’s dark clothing.

 

Princess Caroline of Monaco, her brother Prince Albert of Monaco (R) and her husband Ernst von Hanover are on the way to the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Argentine Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

And here’s Princess Caroline of Hanover, standing between her husband, Prince Ernst August of Hanover, and her brother, Prince Albert of Monaco. She also wore pearls for the wedding.

 

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She pinned a gorgeous brooch set with diamonds and a silvery-black pearl to her jacket. And don’t miss the enormous cocktail ring on her left hand!

 

The Aga Khan and his wife arrive for the wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima Zorreguieta February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

Also in pearls was Begum Inaara Aga Khan (previously Princess Gabriele of Leiningen), who wore gorgeous pearl and diamond earrings and a major pearl and diamond ring.

 

Former South African president Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel arrive at the Royal wedding of Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Argentine Maxima Zorreguieta on February 2, 2002 in Amsterdam

Nelson Mandela and his wife, Graça Machel, were present for the wedding as well.

 

World Bank President James Wolfensohn (L), former South African president Nelson Mandela (3rd L) and his wife Graca Machel (2nd L), UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (R) and his wife Nane (2nd R) attend the wedding of Dutch Crown prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima in the Nieuwe Kerk church in Amsterdam, Saturday 02 February 2002

Here, they’re part of a rather impressive row of wedding guests. From left to right, we’ve got Sir James Wolfensohn, the ninth president of the World Bank; the Mandelas; and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan with his wife, Nane. Graça wore lovely golden jewels set with colorful gems, while Nane chose gold and pearl pieces for the occasion.