AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, the eldest son of Queen Beatrix and heir to the Dutch throne, married Argentinian Maxima Zorreguitea in a civil ceremony Saturday.
The royal couple broke into laughter when Willem-Alexander at first was unable to slip a wedding ring onto Maxima's finger. But a final tug capped a union attended by at least four European monarchs and cheered on by thousands of well-wishers.
Maxima wiped tears from her eyes when musician Carel Kraayenhof played a tango called "Adios Nonino, meaning "good-bye father." Her parents did not attend the wedding because of her father's role as a minister during Argentina's military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983.
Before leaving the Amsterdam church, the newlyweds were each given a Bible, one in
Dutch for Maxima, and one in Spanish for Willem-Alexander.
"Even though love is an international language, I am giving you a Spanish-Argentinean Bible," said the Rev. Carel ter Linden. "The only book that
will never leave you speechless."
The newlyweds then rode through the city in a golden coach that once carried Queen Beatrix's grandmother, Queen Wilhelmina, to her wedding.
