The Actress Behind Queen Máxima: Delfina Chaves Speaks Exclusively to Xmag

Delfina Chaves takes on the role of Máxima Zorreguieta in an international series that pushed her beyond borders and comfort zones. From embracing insecurity to navigating multilingual sets, the Argentine actress opens up about growth, honesty and the quiet strength of staying true to who she is—on and off screen.

From Argentina to Europe, from daily dramas to international streaming hits, Delfina Chaves continues to build a career rooted in honesty and emotional depth. Her portrayal of Máxima Zorreguieta—the Argentine who became Queen of the Netherlands—marks a turning point, not just for her visibility, but for how she approaches characters, identity and fear.

“I’ve never arrived on set without fear. That discomfort keeps me from running on autopilot”, she says. Delfina is not afraid to speak about insecurity. On the contrary—she embraces it. Through acting, she has learned not to erase her fears but to include them as part of the work.

Portraying Máxima meant facing a public figure recognised globally. But instead of imitating the queen, Delfina and her team focused on something more intimate: “We tried to forget about the public image and imagine who she was before she was seen. Her childhood, her teenage years—those chapters that no one really knows”. With that freedom, she explored Máxima not as a monarch, but as a human being.

The filming process spanned Spain, Austria, the Netherlands and New York. Far from home and immersed in diverse work cultures, the personal growth was just as significant as the professional challenge. “You learn a lot when you’re away from home. You have to adapt, create a sense of belonging in new cities. It’s a huge lesson”, she says. On set in Spain—where she could speak her native language—it almost felt like home, though she remained fully aware of the privilege of filming across so many landscapes.

One of the biggest challenges? The language. Although she doesn’t speak Dutch, Delfina performed most of her scenes in it. “I learnt everything phonetically, which is like activating a whole different part of the brain”. The structure of the language—the way verbs move, the sounds not shared with Spanish—pushed her beyond her comfort zone. “It was probably the hardest thing I’ve done in my life”, she confesses with a laugh.

Despite the depth of the role, Delfina wouldn’t approach Queen Máxima as “the actress who portrayed her.” If they ever met, she’d rather speak to her simply as an Argentine woman, fascinated by her journey. “I approached this project with great respect. But I played a human being, not a global symbol”.

“I’ve never arrived on set without fear. That discomfort keeps me from running on autopilot.”
Delfina Chaves

Authenticity is a constant in her life. Even when it comes to fashion and red carpets, she draws a clear line. “I’m not really into fashion, but I know when I need it—it’s part of the job”, she admits. “I surround myself with people who know what they’re doing and I trust them. My only rule is not to sell an image that doesn’t represent me”. For Delfina, coherence comes before glamour.

This same clarity guided her through Argentina, tierra de amor y venganza (ATAV), the 2019 drama that introduced her to a wider audience. “It was my first lead role and a huge learning experience”. Years later, people still approach her on the street, both in Argentina and abroad. “Even in Spain, people tell me they’re watching it on YouTube. It’s surreal”.

Most recently, she stepped into comedy for the first time with Felices los 6, a series about polyamory. “It was great fun. We had creative freedom, and everyone’s input was valued”. Sharing the screen with Nico Furtado, Male Sánchez and Fede Salles, she experienced a fresh rhythm on set and embraced the chance to try something different.

Unlike many, Delfina doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out. “I grew up recognising myself as an insecure person. But that feeling has also been a driver. It pushes me to work on the parts of myself I don’t fully understand”. She never sees herself as finished—just evolving. “I’ve learnt not to hide my insecurities, but to make them part of the process”.

She’s candid, too, about how projects come to her. “Every role I’ve played so far came through auditions. Scripts don’t just land on my desk”, she explains. Still, she’s selective about which casting calls she accepts. “What I wouldn’t do is play a perfect woman. I’m not interested in characters without flaws”. For her, female roles must be human—complete with contradictions, fears and desire.

Looking ahead, she has no rush to play roles that haven’t yet arrived. “I think the characters that will excite me the most will come with time. The older I get, the richer the characters will be”. For Delfina, this profession gets better with age—and the real stories, the ones worth telling, come when you’ve lived enough to understand them.