The younger sister of Queen Maxima of the Netherlands has died at the age of 33, a palace spokesperson said in The Hague on Thursday.
The spokesperson said, “we have to announce that the queen’s sister died in Buenos Aires.”
Queen Maxima and her sister, Ines Zorreguieta, were both born into an Argentinian family.
Meanwhile, the queen had cancelled all her scheduled appearances until June 15, including visits to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, a palace statement said.
King Willem-Alexander would now make the appearances alone.
In a message of condolence, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte described the news as “a big shock.’’
Broadcaster NOS reported that Zorreguieta had been receiving treatment for psychiatric problems.
The palace spokesperson said the death was a “suspected suicide.’’
