RIJSWIJK, 31/03/01 - In a speech on television on Friday evening, Queen Beatrix announced the engagement between Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Maxima Zorreguieta. The foot and mouth crisis seemed to be relegated temporarily to the background, although there were farmers who found the coming festivities inappropriate.

The Queen's short speech was followed by a few words of appreciation by the happy couple. Prince Clause also attended the live broadcast. Like the Queen, he welcomed Maxima into the family.

A few minutes later, Prime Minister Wim Kok unveiled from his working office that he had sent a letter to both Houses of Parliament requesting the required constitutional approval of the royal marriage. He underlined that "the feelings of the people" with respect to Maxima's father, Jorge Zorreguieta, are fully taken into account.

Zorreguieta was not present at the engagement announcement and will also not attend the marriage itself. This concession means that a large majority of the Lower House will give permission for the marriage, a circuit of numerous delegates in both houses of parliament indicated.

The Mayors of Meppel and Hoogeveen, where Queen's Day is to be held this year, anticipate enormous crowds on 30 April, as Maxima is sure to be one of the party, as well as Prince Constantijn and his fiancee Laurentien Brinkhorst, who are to marry in May. And if all goes well, Prince Maurits, son of Princess Margriet, and his wife Marilene van de Broek, will be the parents of a very new baby. The Princess is expected to give birth shortly after mid-April.