Dutch Queen Beatrix abdicates, son to take throne
Posted April 30, 2013 5:31 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Orange-clad royal enthusiasts flocked to the centre of Amsterdam early on Tuesday to join in celebrations as Queen Beatrix passes the crown to her eldest son Willem-Alexander, making him the first King of the Netherlands in over 120 years.
April 30, or Queen’s Day, is always a party day in the Netherlands. But this year the city of Amsterdam is putting on a special show to celebrate the investiture of the 46-year-old King and the abdication of his 75-year-old mother who wants to retire after 33 years in the job.
Nearly a million people were expected to join the street party with dancing to bands and DJs helping create a carnival atmosphere. As always, there will be people on the pavements setting up traditional makeshift bric-a-brac stalls.
Fans expressed their excitement for the event.
“We are here for King’s day, for Alexander and Maxima, we trust them and we think it is great that Queen Beatrix will be able to slow down a bit,” said royal fan Tinneke Ooostvaarder.
Others reminisced and described the moment as ‘historic’.
After Queen Beatrix signs her abdication, Willem-Alexander immediately becomes King and his wife Maxima, a popular former investment banker from Argentina, becomes queen.
All three will then appear on the palace balcony to wave and address the crowds in Dam Square.
They will then head from the palace to the 600-year-old Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church, next door where the King will swear an oath to uphold the Dutch constitution before lawmakers.
Amsterdam is already awash with orange, the royal colour. Houses are covered in bunting and flags, shop windows are stuffed with orange cakes, sweets, clothes and flowers and many partygoers are decked out in the royal colours.
“What is so exciting and memorable today is that the Queen who ruled us for 33 years, and she did that really well, is now giving her duty to her son, Willem-Alexander, that is really fantastic,” said Frea De Vries.
The celebration will continue through the evening witha water pageant along the Ij, Amsterdam’s historic waterfront.
