Sports

Dutch Queen 'divided' by semi-final clash

Staff Correspondent
Netherlands' King Willem-Alexander (L) and Queen Maxima applaud their team prior to a Group B football match between Australia and the Netherlands at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 18, 2014. AFP
Netherlands' King Willem-Alexander (L) and Queen Maxima applaud their team prior to a Group B football match between Australia and the Netherlands at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 18, 2014. AFP

Dutch Queen Maxima will watch with mixed emotions as the Netherlands take on Argentina in Wednesday's semi-final, her loyalty split between her birth and adopted countries.

For the second time since her marriage to Dutch King Willem-Alexander in 2002, Maxima -- born and bred in Buenos Aires -- will look on as the Dutch Oranje play Argentina's La Albiceleste.

A 2006 World Cup encounter ended in a goalless draw, with both teams having already qualified for the next stage.

"Argentina's results are important to me, but I'm Dutch," Maxima said.

This week the RVD told AFP: "The Royal Family supports the Dutch team."

"The semi-final has special importance for the royal family," Dutch popular broadsheet De Telegraaf wrote.

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