Argentine hockey player Nicolás Keenan has become the 'first gentleman' of the Netherlands after the inauguration of Prime Minister Rob Jetten, with whom he plans to marry this year.
Following the inauguration of Rob Jetten as Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Argentine hockey player Nicolás Keenan has taken on the role of 'first gentleman' and plans to marry Jetten later this year. This marriage marks Keenan as the second Argentine to rise to such prominence in the Dutch royal scene, following Queen Máxima, who married King Willem-Alexander in 2002 and became queen consort in 2013.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague, featuring only Prime Minister Jetten and King Willem-Alexander, which meant Keenan was not present at the royal event. This development highlights the emerging recognition of LGBTQ+ relationships in Dutch politics, as Jetten is noted not only as the youngest Prime Minister in the country’s history but also its first openly gay leader. Conversely, while Jetten has been open about his sexuality, Keenan has found it more challenging to publicly share his story.
Keenan's rise signifies not only a personal milestone in his life but also serves to reflect the changing attitudes towards LGBTQ+ representation in leadership roles within Europe. Their relationship and impending marriage are thus seen as a progressive step forward in the acceptance of diverse identities in political spaces, showcasing how personal narratives can intertwine with broader societal changes.
