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Willem-Alexander sworn in as king of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander sworn in as king of the Netherlands
(35 minutes later)
Willem-Alexander has been sworn in as king of the Netherlands after the abdication of his mother, Beatrix. Willem-Alexander has been sworn in as king of the Netherlands following the abdication of Queen Beatrix.
Willem-Alexander became the country's first king since 1890 when his 75-year-old mother signed the abdication deed after 33 years on the throne. He became the country's first king since 1890 when his 75-year-old mother signed the abdication deed earlier on Tuesday after 33 years on the throne.
Huge crowds of orange-clad partygoers are in Amsterdam to pay tribute.Huge crowds of orange-clad partygoers are in Amsterdam to pay tribute.
Now known as Princess Beatrix, the former queen has maintained a recent Dutch tradition in handing over to a new generation. Now known as Princess Beatrix, the former queen maintained a recent Dutch tradition of monarch's handing over power to a new generation.
Willem-Alexander was officially sworn in at a colourful secular ceremony in the Nieuwe Kerk, a decommissioned church, before a joint session of the Dutch parliament.Willem-Alexander was officially sworn in at a colourful secular ceremony in the Nieuwe Kerk, a decommissioned church, before a joint session of the Dutch parliament.
Crowds in the square outside cheered as the announcement of the inauguration was made from a balcony overlooking the square amid trumpet fanfare.
In the evening, the royal family will take part in a water pageant.In the evening, the royal family will take part in a water pageant.
'Happy and grateful''Happy and grateful'
The queen had announced her intention to stand down in January, saying her son was ready to reign and that it was time for the throne to be held by "a new generation".The queen had announced her intention to stand down in January, saying her son was ready to reign and that it was time for the throne to be held by "a new generation".
She formally relinquished the throne at a short ceremony in the Royal Palace on Tuesday, signing a statement transferring the monarchy to her son "in accordance with the statutes and the constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands".She formally relinquished the throne at a short ceremony in the Royal Palace on Tuesday, signing a statement transferring the monarchy to her son "in accordance with the statutes and the constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands".
There were huge cheers from the crowds outside in Dam Square, who were watching the ceremony on giant television screens, as she and the prince and his wife Maxima - a 41-year-old Argentine-born investment banker - signed the deed of abdication. There were huge cheers from the crowds outside in Dam Square, who were watching the ceremony on giant television screens, as she, her son and his wife Maxima - a 41-year-old Argentine-born investment banker - signed the deed of abdication.
Shortly afterwards, the three royals emerged on a balcony above the square.Shortly afterwards, the three royals emerged on a balcony above the square.
The visibly emotional Princess Beatrix told the crowds: "I am happy and grateful to introduce to you your new king, Willem-Alexander."The visibly emotional Princess Beatrix told the crowds: "I am happy and grateful to introduce to you your new king, Willem-Alexander."
King Willem-Alexander thanked mother for "33 moving and interesting years", saying he and the public and people in Dutch overseas territories were "intensely grateful" to her.King Willem-Alexander thanked mother for "33 moving and interesting years", saying he and the public and people in Dutch overseas territories were "intensely grateful" to her.
The three then held hands on the balcony as the national anthem was played, before the new king and queen's three young daughters were brought out to wave at the crowds. The three then held hands as the national anthem was played, before the new king and queen's three young daughters were brought out to wave at the crowds.
Their eldest daughter, nine-year-old Catharina-Amalia, has become Princess of Orange and is now first-in-line to the throne.Their eldest daughter, nine-year-old Catharina-Amalia, has become Princess of Orange and is now first-in-line to the throne.
Abdication 'tradition'Abdication 'tradition'
Many royals and high-ranking dignitaries have been invited to take part in the events, including the UK's Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain and Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik and his wife. Many international royals and high-ranking dignitaries are taking part in the events, including the UK's Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain and Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik and his wife.
On Monday, Queen Beatrix thanked the nation, saying the people's devotion had given her the strength to carry on during her 33-year reign.On Monday, Queen Beatrix thanked the nation, saying the people's devotion had given her the strength to carry on during her 33-year reign.
"Without your heart-warming and encouraging displays of affection, the burdens, which certainly have existed, would have weighed heavily," she said.
Paying tribute to her late husband Prince Claus, who died in 2002, she said he had helped modernise the House of Orange.Paying tribute to her late husband Prince Claus, who died in 2002, she said he had helped modernise the House of Orange.
"Perhaps history will bear out that the choice of my partner was my best decision," said the monarch, who is known affectionately as "Queen Bea". "Perhaps history will bear out that the choice of my partner was my best decision," said the monarch affectionately as "Queen Bea".
She said hereditary authority of itself did not give substance to a contemporary monarchy; rather this was earned through "the will to serve the country".She said hereditary authority of itself did not give substance to a contemporary monarchy; rather this was earned through "the will to serve the country".
Willem-Alexander has said he wants to "be a king that can bring society together, representative and encouraging in the 21st Century".Willem-Alexander has said he wants to "be a king that can bring society together, representative and encouraging in the 21st Century".
He has said he does not expect to be called "his majesty," saying instead people can "address me as they wish". He has said he does not expect to be called "his majesty," saying people can address him "as they wish".
Queen Beatrix is the sixth monarch from the House of Orange-Nassau, which has ruled the Netherlands since the early 19th Century. Queen Beatrix was the sixth monarch from the House of Orange-Nassau, which has ruled the Netherlands since the early 19th Century.
Correspondents say she is extremely popular with most Dutch people, but her abdication was widely expected and will not provoke a constitutional crisis. Under Dutch law, the monarch has few powers and the role is considered ceremonial. Correspondents say she is extremely popular with most Dutch people, but her abdication was widely expected and will not provoke a constitutional crisis.
Under Dutch law, the monarch has few powers and the role is considered ceremonial.
He or she is expected to be politically impartial, co-sign acts of parliament, help with the formation of new governments and to undertake state visits.He or she is expected to be politically impartial, co-sign acts of parliament, help with the formation of new governments and to undertake state visits.
Modest crownModest crown
King Willem-Alexander has become not only the monarch of the Netherlands but also the Dutch Caribbean territories of Curacao, Aruba and Sint Maarten. He holds several military titles but requested an honourable discharge before his accession.King Willem-Alexander has become not only the monarch of the Netherlands but also the Dutch Caribbean territories of Curacao, Aruba and Sint Maarten. He holds several military titles but requested an honourable discharge before his accession.
In recent decades it has become the tradition for the monarch to abdicate.In recent decades it has become the tradition for the monarch to abdicate.
Queen Beatrix's mother Juliana resigned the throne in 1980 on her 71st birthday, and her grandmother Wilhelmina abdicated in 1948 at the age of 68.Queen Beatrix's mother Juliana resigned the throne in 1980 on her 71st birthday, and her grandmother Wilhelmina abdicated in 1948 at the age of 68.
Queen Beatrix has remained active in recent years, but her reign has also seen traumatic events. Queen Beatrix remained active in recent years, but her reign has also seen traumatic events.
In 2009 a would-be attacker killed eight people when he drove his car into crowds watching the queen and other members of the royal family in a national holiday parade.In 2009 a would-be attacker killed eight people when he drove his car into crowds watching the queen and other members of the royal family in a national holiday parade.
In February last year her second son, Prince Friso, was struck by an avalanche in Austria and remains in a coma.In February last year her second son, Prince Friso, was struck by an avalanche in Austria and remains in a coma.
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