Queen Máxima announces major palace change as Dutch royal family reveals next big reunion

Queen Máxima is entering a new chapter at the Dutch royal palace following a significant announcement from the Royal House that will reshape her day-to-day work and set the stage for one of the monarchy's biggest family gatherings next year.

While King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima continue to enjoy a period of stability and popularity, several important changes are now underway behind the scenes. 

© Dutch Press/The Grosby Group

Beginning on August 16, the queen will officially start working with a new private secretary, marking a notable shift in the way she carries out both her royal and international responsibilities.

Queen Máxima appoints a new private secretary:

The Royal House of the Netherlands announced that Thys Hoekman has been appointed as Queen Máxima's new private secretary by Royal Decree. He will succeed Xiaoling Wu, who has served as the queen's trusted aide since 2021.

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The appointment signals the beginning of a new era for the Dutch queen, whose role has expanded well beyond traditional royal engagements in recent years.

Hoekman brings extensive diplomatic experience to the position. He holds a master's degree in Development Studies from the University of Oxford and has built much of his career within the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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His background is expected to support Queen Máxima's work as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Financial Health and Financial Inclusion, one of her most prominent international roles. 

The change could also influence the queen's future schedule, with more high-profile diplomatic engagements expected as her new team settles into place.

Dutch royal family's next major gathering revealed:

Alongside the staffing announcement, the Dutch Royal House also confirmed another highly anticipated piece of news. The location of King's Day 2027, one of the most important events on the royal calendar.

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On April 27, 2027, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and members of the royal family will travel to Lelystad, located in the province of Flevoland, for the nationwide celebrations honoring the monarch's birthday.

The city sits approximately 80 miles (129 kilometers) from Huis ten Bosch Palace, the royal family's official residence in The Hague.

A familiar destination for the royal family:

Lelystad is far from a new destination for the Dutch royals.

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima paid an official regional visit to the city in September 2025, and just days ago the queen returned there to inaugurate one of the country's largest commercial battery storage facilities.

The 2027 King's Day celebrations are expected to bring together the entire immediate royal family, including Princess Catharina-Amalia, who continues her military training, Princess Alexia, known for her outgoing personality, and Princess Ariane, who recently began studying engineering.

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With a new palace team in place and preparations already underway for one of the Netherlands' biggest royal celebrations, Queen Máxima appears set to begin an important new phase in both her royal duties and her international work.