"She has now found peace", Dutch queen says about sister's death
Inés "was sick and could not be cured", Queen Maxima said about her youngest sister's death. "Our only comfort is that she has now found peace", the Dutch Queen said after paying a visit to the UMCG Proton Therapy Center in Groningen on Tuesday, ANP reports.
Inés Zorreguieta suffered from depression. She committed suicide on June 6th at the age of 33.
Queen Maxima also thanked the Netherlands for the enormous support that her family received, and said she was grateful for the respect shown by the Dutch media in this difficult time.
Maxima was scheduled to open the UMCG Proton Therapy Center, the first in the Netherlands, on June 8th. But she had to cancel because of her sister's death. Minister Bruno Bruins for Medical Care took over the task.
The Queen also missed the state visits King Willem-Alexander paid to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania last week.
Those in the Netherlands who are suffering from depression or contemplating suicide may call counselors at Sensoor, 0900-0767 (5 ct./min.), or call their volunteers at a local number. A list of suicide crisis hotlines outside the Netherlands is available on Wikipedia.