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The Netherlands

Queen Maxima on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list for 2016

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has been named among those on Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list for 2016. The Queen is the only Dutch citizen and the only member of royalty in this year’s list.

In a short article that he wrote about her for Time Magazine, Tilman Ehrbeck praised Queen Máxima’s work towards financial inclusion in developing countries.

“To change that requires a massive effort—from smart policies to innovation on the ground,” he wrote. “With her firm grasp of the technical issues, political savvy and boundless energy, Queen Máxima has masterfully used her role as the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Advocate, her empathy and her easy laughter to cajole, encourage and support decision makers – from the hallowed halls of the financial-standard-setting bodies in Basel, Switzerland, to the female leaders of savings groups in rural villages.”

The cause of financial inclusion is one that is particularly close to the heart of the Queen, who grew up in Argentina and has a background in banking. As an immigrant herself, she has used her position to try and help immigrants from developing nations integrate into the Dutch culture. In addition to being the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, Queen Máxima is a member of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Women’s Participation and hols a seat in the Dutch Council of State. She was also one of the first members of the Royal Family to support gay rights.

The Dutch Queen is joined on the list by Academy Award winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio, martial artist Ronda Rousey, American President Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Caitlyn Jenner, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, and the Pope.

Queen Máxima is not the first royal to make the Magazine’s annual list. The Duchess of Cambridge was listed as one of the most influential people for three consecutive years, in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year in 1952, the year of her ascension to the throne.