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The Netherlands

Queen Máxima celebrates her 50th birthday with a delicious cake

MAXIMA

Queen Máxima received a special birthday cake to mark her 50th birthday this week, presented to her by one of her long-standing patronages, More Music in the Classroom.

The decadent cake, presented to the Queen during a special television presentation entitled ‘Queen Máxima: A Life Full of Music ‘for Méér Muziek in de Klas’ featured musical motifs and large and small candles to represent the large and small musical initiatives that she backs as honorary chairman of More Music in the Classroom.

The More Music in the Classroom organisation said that the candles also “symbolizes the wish of the Queen: structural music education for all primary school children in the Netherlands and the Caribbean.”

Queen Máxima was presented with her birthday cake the night before her birthday in the presence of her family: King Willem-Alexander and her daughters Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane.

The Royal Family was treated to performances by schoolchildren across the Netherlands as well as established musicians including Tania Kross, Jeroen van der Boom, Emma Heesters, Glen Faria, Roel van Velzen, Danny de Munk, Jamai, Elske DeWall and Jeugdorkest Nederland, according to More Music in the Classroom. The Dutch National Ballet also prepared a special ballet for the occasion.

As well, More Music in the Classroom has been holding a contest since late March for music-minded individuals to show their support. “Anyone who, like Queen Máxima, wants to commit to structural music education and wants to share a good example, has had a chance to win a birthday cake, a music workshop and a report by a kids reporter since March 29. Teachers, parents, children, as well as municipalities and cultural institutions participated and produced nearly 200 special entries,” according to the organisation’s official website.  

Queen Máxima received the Grand Cross of the Order of the House of Orange for her birthday as well, and participated in a televised interview where she touched upon her life and family, calling her husband an anchor and her eldest daughter a wonderful human being.

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.