Queen Maxima became the first active member of a royal family to attend a mass LGBTQ+ event at World Pride 2026 in Amsterdam. The 55-year-old queen attended the start of the program in Vondelpark alongside the city's mayor, Femke Halsema. Her presence coincided with the 25th anniversary of 2001, when the country became the first in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
The queen arrived to the sound of the song Dancing Queen by ABBA. She wore a champagne midi dress by Natan and a gold leaf laurel hair accessory by Berry Rutjes, which she previously wore at Royal Ascot in 2019. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema welcomed her, saying Her Majesty was not alone today and welcoming her to the world of queens.
Speech and Reactions
Queen Maxima spoke on the importance of freedom of expression, asking if being oneself and loving whoever one wishes is not normal. She urged people to support one another, stay united, and enjoy it. She also stated her desire to contribute toward a more inclusive society based on respect and diversity that enrich people as human beings. Her question on whether that was normal sparked reactions in Amsterdam.
