DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

1 July 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Politics
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Queen Maxima’s controversial father dies, royals to attend funeral

August 9, 2017
Maxima and Willem-Alexander with Jorge Zorreguieta in 2011. Photo: Persbureau Edwin Janssen via HH

The father of queen Maxima, Jorge Zorreguieta, has died at home in Buenos Aires at the age of 89. He had been ill for some time.

Maxima, who was at her father’s side when he died, king Willem-Alexander and their three daughters will all attend the funeral, the state information service RVD said.

Zorreguieta was minister of agriculture at the time of the Videla dictatorship from 1976 to 1983. After it was announced that Maxima and Willem-Alexander were to marry, the Dutch government commissioned a report into his role in the junta.

That report concluded that it was ‘unthinkable’ that Zorreguieta knew nothing of the human rights abuses but was unlikely to have been involved himself. He has always denied any knowledge of the killings.

Nevertheless, he was banned from attending the wedding and later in 2013, the inauguration of Willem-Alexander as king.

Prime minister Mark Rutte has expressed his condolences to the royal family on behalf of the cabinet. ‘I wish them, their daughters and other members of the family strength and courage at this difficult time,’ Rutte said.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Society
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Temperatures rise at slavery memorial event in Amsterdam
More cancer patients are surviving thanks to new treatments
Most people want basic insurance to cover slimming drugs: survey
Senate backs nationwide consumer fireworks ban at New Year
Cricket: Max O’Dowd creates history with an eye on the T20WC
NewsHomeEconomyPoliticsArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now