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Princess Amalia, Queen Maxima, King Willem-Alexander, Princess Ariane, and Princess Alexia are concerned over their missing homekeeper© WireImage

The search continues

Queen Maxima and royal family shocked by mysterious disappearance of their trusted caretaker

Carlos Ancapichun worked with the royal family for years. He's been missing for over a month from the Patagonia area


Maria Loreto
Senior Writer
JULY 8, 2025 3:30 PM EDT

Queen Maxima and her family are dealing with an unnerving situation. The Netherland royals have been coping with the mysterious disappearance of their caretaker, Carlos Ancapichun, who worked for the family in their Patagonia, Argentina home. 

EMMEN, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 27: Queen Maxima of The Netherlands, Princess Amalia of The Netherlands, Princess Alexia of The Netherlands and Princess Ariane of The Netherlands during King's Day on April 27, 2024 in Emmen, Netherlands. (Photo by Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)© Patrick van Katwijk
Ancapichun has been missing for almost a month

Ancapichun has been reported missing for some weeks now, with the police involved in the investigation. He's worked with the royal family for years, caring for their luxurious home located in Villa la Angostura, a city and tourist location in Argentina. Queen Maxima was born in Argentina, and likes to visit her home country whenever she has the time. 

Ancapichun is 76 years old and is a well-known member of the local community. He was last seen on June 13, when he traveled to Chile to visit his brother and check out a few spaces for possible construction.

It's been 28 days since Ancapichun was last seen, with there being no new reports of him. Over the past month, members of the police, the army, and the fire department have joined in on the search. Through the hunt, which has been challenging due to the wilderness of the area, authorities found Ancapichun's truck, parked and in good shape, in a wooded and hard-to-reach location. 

Princess Amalia, Queen Maxima, King Willem-Alexander, Princess Ariane, and Princess Alexia are concerned over their missing homekeeper© WireImage
Princess Amalia, Queen Maxima, King Willem-Alexander, Princess Ariane, and Princess Alexia are concerned over their missing caretaker

Police report that they're considering all possibilities, with Ancapichun's family expecting the worst.

Ancapichun's belongings were found in his car, with authorities spotting clothes, boots, and some tools. They claim these findings suggest that the man didn't go missing willingly, especially since he didn't say goodbye toa nyone in his family.

Queen Maxima and her relationship with Ancapichun

King Willem and Queen Maxima alongside Carlos Ancapichun© America TV
King Willem and Queen Maxima alongside Carlos Ancapichun

Queen Maxima and her husband, King Willem, know Ancapichun well. The three have a photo together, showing them smiling in Argentina, with Ancapichun working for the family for the past three decades. 

The home is located in the exclusive region of Cumelen, where other politicians and notorious businessmen live and have residences. 

Ancapichun's grandson, Mirko Ojeda Hidalgo, spoke with authorities, sharing his belief that his grandfather couldn't have gotten into a region he knew so well. Ojeda also shared that Ancapichun was in great health. He asked authorities to continue their search and for the government to allocate more resources to the search. He believes third parties are involved in the case. 

Queen Maxima of The Netherlands 2025© Patrick van Katwijk
Queen Maxima was born in Argentina

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