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Cultura

Dutch Queen Maxima to return to Netherlands due to infected kidney


    AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch Queen Maxima of the Netherlands will cut short a state visit to China and return to the Netherlands due to a kidney infection, the Royal House said on Tuesday.

    Maxima, 44, was in China with King Willem-Alexander when she developed a fever and back pain. She will be admitted to the Bronovo Hospital in The Hague for further testing and treatment after flying back Tuesday evening, it said.

    Willem-Alexander will stay in China through Thursday to complete a programme with Chinese officials.

    Maxima, an Argentine, is the most popular member of the House of Orange, as the Dutch royal house is known. The couple have three daughters.

    In a rare personal message King Willem-Alexander tweeted: "Many thanks for all the wishes for a speedy recovery. I will pass them on to my wife."

    Willem-Alexander became king in 2013 after the abdication of his mother, Queen Beatrix, making Maxima the first Dutch queen consort since 1890.

    (Reporting By Anthony Deutsch)