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Queen Beatrix to Abdicate in the Netherlands Queen Beatrix Abdicates in the Netherlands
(about 1 hour later)
With homes and storefronts swathed in orange bunting, the Netherlands prepared for Queen Beatrix’s abdication on Tuesday after a 33-year reign, handing over to her eldest son, Willem-Alexander, who is set to become the country’s first king in 123 years. AMSTERDAM — Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicated on Tuesday after a 33-year reign, handing over to her eldest son, Willem-Alexander, who became the country’s first king in 123 years.
On the eve of the ceremony in Amsterdam, Beatrix, 75, told her subjects on Monday that she had “feelings of deep gratitude” to them and that their allegiance had given her strength.On the eve of the ceremony in Amsterdam, Beatrix, 75, told her subjects on Monday that she had “feelings of deep gratitude” to them and that their allegiance had given her strength.
Her 46-year-old son, she said, is “ready in every way” to assume the largely ceremonial monarchy that has lost the political influence it once wielded in the meditation of coalition governments, and remains generally popular, with opinion surveys showing almost four-fifths of Dutch people in favor of retaining the institution.Her 46-year-old son, she said, is “ready in every way” to assume the largely ceremonial monarchy that has lost the political influence it once wielded in the meditation of coalition governments, and remains generally popular, with opinion surveys showing almost four-fifths of Dutch people in favor of retaining the institution.
The abdication came on Queen’s Day, a public holiday in the Netherlands. The 2,000 guests at the ceremony were to include Britain’s Prince Charles and Crown Princess Masako of Japan. Sitting at a long table in red baize in a chandeliered chamber at the Royal Palace here, Beatrix became the third successive Dutch monarch to withdraw as head of the House of Orange-Nassau. Outside the palace, cheers rose from thousands of people, many of them clad in orange, the royal color.
The royal color of the Netherlands is orange, and that chromatic theme extended to people on the streets sporting orange clothing on a day that, news reports said, was planned as a carnival, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to take to the streets. The abdication came on Queen’s Day, a public holiday in the Netherlands. The 2,000 guests at the ceremony included Britain’s Prince Charles and Crown Princess Masako of Japan. For most of the thousands of people expected to crowd Amsterdam for the occasion, the day was planned as a carnival with music, concerts and street parties.
The new king is set to take over as soon as his mother signs the act of abdication. His Argentine-born wife, Maxima, 41, is to become queen, and the trio planned to appear before the people on a balcony at the royal palace on Amsterdam’s Dam Square before a swearing-in ceremony at the 600-year-old Nieuwe Kerk, or new church, seals the transition without a formal coronation. The new king took over immediately after his mother signed the act of abdication. His Argentine-born wife, Maxima, 41, a former banker, is to become queen, and the trio planned to appear before the people on a balcony at the royal palace on Amsterdam’s Dam Square before a swearing-in ceremony at the 600-year-old Nieuwe Kerk, or new church, sealed the transition without a formal coronation.
Willem-Alexander will be Europe’s youngest monarch and has vowed that he and Queen Maxima will not be “protocol fetishists.” Willem-Alexander became Europe’s youngest monarch, and he has vowed that he and Queen Maxima will not be “protocol fetishists.”
“People can address me as they wish because then they can feel comfortable,” he has been quoted as saying, describing his role as being “a king that can bring society together, representative and encouraging in the 21st century.”“People can address me as they wish because then they can feel comfortable,” he has been quoted as saying, describing his role as being “a king that can bring society together, representative and encouraging in the 21st century.”
The authorities have said that anti-royalists may demonstrate if they wish at several designated locations in Amsterdam, but, news reports said, any protests are expected to be less violent than those surrounding the enthronement of Beatrix in 1980 during a housing crisis.The authorities have said that anti-royalists may demonstrate if they wish at several designated locations in Amsterdam, but, news reports said, any protests are expected to be less violent than those surrounding the enthronement of Beatrix in 1980 during a housing crisis.
The ceremonies are supposed to reach a climax in the evening with a water pageant. While some Europeans — particularly in Britain — accept a level of pomp and ceremony from their royal houses, others, as in the Netherlands, seem to want their monarchs to be far less formal while maintaining a regal aura. More recently her reign has been overshadowed by personal grief. Last year, her youngest son, Prince Friso, was left in a coma after a skiing accident in Austria.

Alan Cowell reported from London and Andrew Higgins from Amsterdam.

The ceremonies surrounding her abdication are supposed to reach a climax in the evening with a water pageant. While some Europeans — particularly in Britain — accept a level of pomp and ceremony from their royal houses, others, as in the Netherlands, seem to want their monarchs to be far less formal while maintaining a regal aura.
The enthronement of Willem-Alexander is seen by monarchy watchers as a token of a newer generation of royals at a time when the fortunes of Europe’s crowned heads seem uneven.
In Britain, Queen Elizabeth II, 87, has made a sustained effort to secure the House of Windsor’s place in British society, and last year she celebrated a 60-year reign, buttressed most recently by the popularity of her grandson, Prince William, whose marriage to Kate Middleton in 2011 inspired a surge of affection.
In Spain, by contrast, King Juan Carlos garnered harsh criticism by heading out on an expensive hunting safari at a time when citizens faced the deprivations of Europe’s financial crisis.
In Belgium, the Netherlands’ neighbor, the abdication of Beatrix has amplified calls for King Albert, 78, to follow her into retirement, allowing Crown Prince Philippe to ascend the throne. Elsewhere, Sweden’s royal family has been beset with scandal but its prospects of survival are generally thought to have been enhanced by the popularity of Crown Princess Victoria, who married her personal trainer in 2010.

Andrew Higgins reported from Amsterdam and Alan Cowell from London.