THE HAGUE: Dutch Queen Maxima will no doubt watch with mixed emotions as the Netherlands take on Argentina in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final, her loyalty split between her birth and adopted countries.

For the second time since her marriage to Dutch King Willem-Alexander in 2002, Maxima — born and bred in Buenos Aires — will look on as the Dutch Oranje play Argentina’s La Albiceleste.

Only this time the stakes — a ticket to Sunday’s 2014 final at Rio de Janeiro’s mythic Maracana stadium — could not be higher.

A previous World Cup encounter in 2006 ended in a goalless draw, with both teams having already qualified for the next stage.

That result was a “great relief” it was reported at the time.

“Argentina’s results are important to me, but I’m Dutch,” Maxima said.

This week the RVD unequivocally told AFP: “The Royal Family supports the Dutch team.

“The semi-final (on Wednesday) has special importance for the royal family,” Dutch popular broadsheet De Telegraaf wrote on the eve of the highly-anticipated clash in Sao Paulo.

But some Argentinian media has reported that the upcoming duel is “causing tension between the royal couple” while others are talking about a “kingdom divided”.

Published in Dawn, July 9th , 2014