Queen Máxima of the Netherlands debate over her future title and style. On 28 January 2013, it was announced that Queen Beatrix would abdicate on 30 April in favour of Willem-Alexander. Máxima is the Kingdom's first queen consort since Princess Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont, the second wife of William III. She is the first Dutch queen consort to have been born as a commoner, and the first to have been born outside Europe. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands Queen Máxima of the Netherlands (born Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti; 17 May 1971) is the wife of King Willem-Alexander. On 30 April 2013, she became the first
HMS Princess Beatrix the Commander in Chief of the western Mediterranean. During her time in the Mediterranean "Princess Beatrix" transported 15,700 men, including a large number of German and Italian POWs while sailing 12,000 miles. "Princess Beatrix" was then attached to the ships of "Operation Husky", the invasion of Sicily. The ship was attached to Force B and sailed with convoy SBF-1. On board were men of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division and a Special Forces group, which were to raid a beach codenamed Bark South. On 16 August 1943 "Princess Beatrix" participated in a joint Anglo-American landing at Cape Scarletta, code-named "Operation