UHOLANZI YAPATA MFALME MPYA, KING WILLEM ALEXANDRER NI BAADA YA MAMA AKE QUEEN BEATRICE KUJIUZULU ANGALIA PICHA HIZI, BAADHI YA WATU MAARUFU NA WENGINE KUTOKA FALME MBALIMALI KATIKA SHEREHE IYO.
The moment a queen signed away her throne in favour of her son: Thousands of Dutch turn out to see monarch Beatrix abdicate
- Crown Prince Willem-Alexander was inaugurated as the Netherlands' first king since 1890 today
- His mother Beatrix, is abdicating after a 33-year reign - she is now Princess Beatrix
- 'I am happy and grateful to introduce to you your new king, Willem-Alexander,' she told the cheering crowd
- Her decision to step down from the largely ceremonial role had been widely expected
- Celebrations are expected to continue with a water pageant along
The 46-year-old gripped his mother's hand after they both put their signatures on the abdication document at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
The much-loved Beatrix ended her 33-year-reign as thousands of orange-clad people cheered outside and millions more watched on national television
The 75-year-old looked close to tears as she then appeared on a balcony overlooking some 20,000 of her subjects.
'I am happy and grateful to introduce to you your new king, Willem-Alexander,' she told the cheering crowd.
Moments later, in a striking symbol of the generational shift, she left the balcony and the new king, his wife and three daughters - the children in matching yellow dresses and headbands - waved to the crowd.
'Dear mother, today you relinquished the throne. 33 years moving and inspiring years. We are intensely, intensely grateful to you,' the new king said.
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End of an era: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands
signs the act of abdication next to her son Crown Prince
Willem-Alexander and his wife Crown Princess Maxima during a ceremony at
the Royal Palace in Amsterdam
New generation: Queen Beatrix passes the act of
abdication to her son Crown Prince Willem-Alexander who smiled widely as
he signed the act
New queen: Maxima wore a pale rose-coloured
dress with a shimmery skirt and enormous bow on her left shoulder. The
father of three's wife becomes Queen Maxima and their eldest daughter,
Catharina-Amalia, becomes Princess Orange and first in line to the
throne
Support: The 46-year-old, the first Dutch king
in more than 100 years, gripped his mother's hand after they both put
their signatures on the abdication document at the Royal Palace in
Amsterdam
Change: Beatrix signed the abdication document in front of the Dutch cabinet in an ornate room today
On show: Princess Beatrix wore a sober purple
dress while her grandaughters', including nine-year-old Catharina-Amalia
who has become Princess of Orange and is now first in line to the
throne, all wore matching yellow dresses
Meet and greet: Beatrix greets guests at her abdication ceremony in the Moseszaal of the Royal Palace
The father of three's wife becomes Queen Maxima and their eldest daughter, Catharina-Amalia, becomes Princess Orange and first in line to the throne.
Willem-Alexander, a 46-year-old water management specialist, is expected to bring a less formal touch to the monarchy together with his wife, a former investment banker from Argentina.
He has pledged to be a 21st century king, close to his nearly 17 million subjects, and not a 'protocol fetishist'.
Wearing a sober purple dress, Beatrix signed the abdication document in front of the Dutch cabinet, Willem-Alexander and Maxima, who wore a pale rose-coloured dress with a shimmery skirt and enormous bow on her left shoulder.
'Today, I make way for a new generation,' said Beatrix.
April 30, or Queen's day, is always a day for partying in the Netherlands. Many people took Monday off work and started celebrating in earnest from Monday evening with street bands and music.
Bittersweet: The new Dutch and his wife followed Princess Beatrix on to the balcony to greet the crowds
Handover: 'Today, I make way for a new generation,' said Beatrix, 75, who now takes the title of Princess
Goodbye: King Willem-Alexander kisses his mother as the royal trio appear on the balcony of the Royal Palace at the Dam Square
New leader: King Willem-Alexander of the
Netherlands and his mother Princess Beatrix greet the crowd of Dam
Square from the balcony of the Royal Palace Amsterdam, following the
official abdication
Emotional: The 75-year-old looked close to tears as she then appeared on a balcony overlooking some 20,000 of her subjects
Patriotic: King Willem-Alexander, Dutch Princess Beatrix and Dutch Queen Maxima sing the national anthem on the balcony
New beginnings: Dutch King Willem-Alexander and
Queen Maxima appear on the balcony of the Royal Palace with their
children, from left: Catharina-Amalia, Ariane, and Alexia
Vision: King Willem-Alexander, a 46-year-old water management
specialist, is expected to bring a less formal touch to the monarchy
together with Maxima, a popular former investment banker from Argentina
Excitement: The family happily waved to the excited crowds before leaving the balcony
Official: The signed act of abdication of Queen
Beatrix of the Netherlands is seen after the official meeting at the
Royal Palace this morning
Ready for duty: Dutch King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima are seen in this official portrait
Jubilant: Supporters cheer as the royal family take their place on the balcony in front of a sea of orange
Rejoice: Thousands of orange-clad people cheered outside and millions more watched on national television
The generational change in the House of
Orange-Nassau gave the Netherlands a moment of celebration and pageantry
as this trading nation of nearly 17 million struggles through a lengthy
recession brought on by the European economic crisis
Sea of orange: The abdication followed a 33-year reign marked in recent years by unrest in Dutch society and personal tragedy
Prepared: People wait for Queen Beatrix's
abdication ceremony in Amsterdam. Less than an hour before the
abdication, the city was not as busy as expected, possibly an indication
that many people were staying home to watch the abdication live on
television
Fun day out: The square was filling up slowly
early today with sightseers, many wearing inflatable orange crowns and
dressing up as royalty
Celebrations: A couple wear hats reading 'Maxima' and 'Willem' as they gather in Dam Square
Els Nederstigt, 38, said she got up at 5:30 a.m.
to travel to Amsterdam and sat on a camping stool close to the Royal
Palace on the Dam Square wearing an orange cowboy hat and tiara
Proud: Two men wearing orange, the royal colour.
The Netherlands is celebrating Queen's Day which also marks the
abdication of Queen Beatrix
Party mood: People dance in Amsterdam's Dam Square. King Willem-Alexander thanked mother for ;33 moving and interesting years'
The generational change in the House of Orange-Nassau gave the Netherlands a moment of celebration and pageantry as this trading nation of nearly 17 million struggles through a lengthy recession brought on by the European economic crisis.
Els Nederstigt, 38, said she got up at 5:30 a.m. to travel to Amsterdam and sat on a camping stool close to the Royal Palace on the Dam Square wearing an orange cowboy hat and tiara.
'It's a special moment. I was a very small girl when Beatrix came to the throne so this is the first change in the monarchy I can really experience,' she said. 'We were here when Willem-Alexander and Maxima got married and what you remember is that you were there - you forget how early you had to get up and how tired you were.'
'He (Willem-Alexander) knows what is needed. He unites people. He has made it possible for the different generations to mingle more,' said 40-year-old Margriet Dantuma, dressed in an orange skirt, as she joined others on the Amsterdam pavements putting out impromptu stalls of bric-a-brac for sale.
Police said one man was arrested on Dam Square shortly after the abdication for not following officers' order.
Less than an hour before the abdication, the city was not as busy as expected, possibly an indication that many people were staying home to watch the abdication live on television.
Change over: Dutch Queen Beatrix, centre, and
Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, left, and his wife Princess Maxima
arrive for the banquet
Last dinner: Queen Beatrix Of The Netherlands hosts a Gala Dinner ahead of her abdication last night
Celebration: Prince Charles and wife Camila,
Duchess of Cornwall, arrive for a banquet hosted by the Dutch Royal
family at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, last night
Celebration: The pair sported a monochrome look as they arrived at the elaborate dinner
Britain's Prince Charles and Japan's Crown Princess Masako, who is making her first foreign trip since falling ill a decade ago, will be among 2,000 visitors at the official investiture ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
The royal family will head from the palace to the 600-year-old Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church, next door in the afternoon where the king will swear an oath to uphold the Dutch constitution before lawmakers.
The Dutch monarch is never crowned, since, in the absence of a state church, there is no cleric available to carry out the coronation. But there is a crown, which will sit on a table next to him throughout the ceremony, along with other regalia that constitute the crown jewels.
Willem-Alexander will wear a royal mantle that has been used for investitures since 1815, although it has been repaired and altered at least twice over the past century, for the investitures of his mother and grandmother.
Decision: Dutch Queen Beatrix, who ruled the
Netherlands for 33 years, announced on 28 January 2013 her abdication
from the throne
Making an entrance: Crown Princess Maxima, left,
and Princess Laurentien, the wife of Prince Constantijn of the
Netherlands, the third son of Queen Beatrix (right) arrive at the Dutch
Royal Dinner at The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
Royal affair: Belgium's Crown Prince Phillippe
and his wife Princess Mathilde, of noble Polish ancestry, arrive for a
banquet hosted by the Dutch Royal family
Diamonds are a girl's best friend: Camilla,
Duchess of Cornwall, left, and Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco, right,
both wore magnificent jewelled tiaras to the event
Celebrations are expected to continue through the evening with a water pageant along the IJ, Amsterdam's historic waterfront.
At a time of austerity and billions of euros of budget cuts, the government promised to keep the cost of the pageantry down.
This week's ceremonies will cost about 12 million euros, but that excludes the bill for the extensive security measures
Security was tight today with 10,000 uniformed police, 3,000 plainclothes officers and an untold number of civil servants assisting in the logistics.
The airspace above Amsterdam was closed yesterday for three days. Dutch police swept Dam square for bombs, with assistance from German agents with sniffer dogs.
Observers believe Beatrix remained on the throne for so long in part because she was seen as a stabilizing factor in the country that struggled to assimilate more and more immigrants, mainly Muslims from North Africa, and shifted away from its traditional reputation as one of the world's most tolerant nations.
At a time of austerity and billions of euros of budget cuts, the government promised to keep the cost of the pageantry down.
This week's ceremonies will cost about 12 million euros, but that excludes the bill for the extensive security measures
Security was tight today with 10,000 uniformed police, 3,000 plainclothes officers and an untold number of civil servants assisting in the logistics.
The airspace above Amsterdam was closed yesterday for three days. Dutch police swept Dam square for bombs, with assistance from German agents with sniffer dogs.
Observers believe Beatrix remained on the throne for so long in part because she was seen as a stabilizing factor in the country that struggled to assimilate more and more immigrants, mainly Muslims from North Africa, and shifted away from its traditional reputation as one of the world's most tolerant nations.
Dutch Crown Princess Maxima waved as she left
the Royal Palace before the ceremony. She wore a variety of stunning
jewels for the occasion, which will see her husband take the throne and
make her queen consort
Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi
Annan, and his wife Nane Lagergren arrive, left, while right, Spanish
Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Princess Letizia, also stride along the
red carpet in front of the world's media before the gala dinner at the
Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
Grand entrance: The popular Princess Mathilde
and Prince Philippe of Belgium, left, and Prince Albert II of Monaco,
right, were there to see the abdication, which will lead to the country
having its first king since 1890
Heir: Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, with his
wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is the heir apparent to his country's
throne. The pair have two children together, and the princess has
another child from a previous relationship
Princess Mathilde of Belgium (left) and Prince
Philippe of Belgium (right) from the neighbouring country, were there to
celebrate the change of monarchs
Regal: Crown prince Billah and Princess Sarah of
Brunei, left, and Princess Christina of the Netherlands, pictured on
the left with Princess Irene of the Netherlands, arrived for the dinner
on the eve of her abdication after 33 years rule. Queen Beatrix says it
is time the country was led by a new generation
In recent years, speculation about
when she might abdicate had grown, as she endured personal losses that
both softened her image and increased her popularity further as the
public sympathized.
Her husband Prince Claus died in 2002; and last year she was devastated when her youngest son, Prince Friso, was hit by an avalanche while skiing in Austria and suffered severe brain damage. Friso remains in a near comatose state.
In her pre-recorded message she said she had been thinking about the issue for some years and now was the 'the moment to lay down my crown'.
'Now that my oldest son is to take over this fine and responsible job tomorrow, it is my deep wish that the new royal couple will feel themselves supported by your loving trust,' the popular monarch said in a nationally televised address.
'I am convinced that Willem-Alexander will apply himself with true devotion for everything a good king is obliged to do.'
Beatrix succeeded her mother, Juliana, as head of state, and she won widespread acclaim and admiration from the Dutch people. Most feel she has proved a supremely competent, if occasionally aloof, head of state over her 33-year reign.
'My mother taught me that being queen is a position that you carry around with you day and night,' she said once. 'You can never forget about it, not for a moment.'
Her husband Prince Claus died in 2002; and last year she was devastated when her youngest son, Prince Friso, was hit by an avalanche while skiing in Austria and suffered severe brain damage. Friso remains in a near comatose state.
In her pre-recorded message she said she had been thinking about the issue for some years and now was the 'the moment to lay down my crown'.
'Now that my oldest son is to take over this fine and responsible job tomorrow, it is my deep wish that the new royal couple will feel themselves supported by your loving trust,' the popular monarch said in a nationally televised address.
'I am convinced that Willem-Alexander will apply himself with true devotion for everything a good king is obliged to do.'
Beatrix succeeded her mother, Juliana, as head of state, and she won widespread acclaim and admiration from the Dutch people. Most feel she has proved a supremely competent, if occasionally aloof, head of state over her 33-year reign.
'My mother taught me that being queen is a position that you carry around with you day and night,' she said once. 'You can never forget about it, not for a moment.'
Royal flush: Prince Daniel of Sweden, left,
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, centre, and Crown Prince Naruhito of
Japan were there to see the abdication, which has been emotionally
celebrated across the country
Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg and Grand
Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, left, by Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik
and Crown Princess Mary, right, were among the European royals who
attended. It is tradition for heads of state not to attend such
occasions
Royal line-up: Glamorous-looking Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary lead the way as they enter the event
Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, his wife
Princess Laurentien, right, and Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau, , the
wife of Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau (second son of Queen Beatrix)
Princess Mabel, (left) wife of Prince Friso,
links arms with Queen Beatrix's youngest son, Prince Constantijn, who
was joined by his Princess Laurentien, (right) who he married in 2001
Perhaps most tellingly, since she took
office in 1980 the House of Orange has been almost scandal-free, a
stark contrast to many other European royal families.
'There will be tears on Tuesday,' said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, paying tribute to 'this formidable lady who has ruled this country for over 30 years'.
A poll released yesterday by national broadcaster NOS showed that Willem-Alexander's popularity has swelled in the run-up to his accession, mostly due to a relaxed and confident performance in an interview that was televised nationally earlier this month.
He said he's not a stickler for protocol, and he believes that 'even the ultimate symbol of a ceremonial monarchy - cutting ribbons - can be very substantive.'
He explained that he will be able to indicate by his selection of which events and openings to attend the things he believes are important for the Netherlands.
He said he sees the function of the monarchy is to act as a living symbol of unity for the nation.
The royals are broadly popular, with 78 percent of Dutch in favour of the monarchy up from 74 percent a year ago, according to an Ipsos poll.
But they have been stripped of their political influence, and no longer appoint the mediator who conducts exploratory talks when forming government coalitions.
'There will be tears on Tuesday,' said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, paying tribute to 'this formidable lady who has ruled this country for over 30 years'.
A poll released yesterday by national broadcaster NOS showed that Willem-Alexander's popularity has swelled in the run-up to his accession, mostly due to a relaxed and confident performance in an interview that was televised nationally earlier this month.
He said he's not a stickler for protocol, and he believes that 'even the ultimate symbol of a ceremonial monarchy - cutting ribbons - can be very substantive.'
He explained that he will be able to indicate by his selection of which events and openings to attend the things he believes are important for the Netherlands.
He said he sees the function of the monarchy is to act as a living symbol of unity for the nation.
The royals are broadly popular, with 78 percent of Dutch in favour of the monarchy up from 74 percent a year ago, according to an Ipsos poll.
But they have been stripped of their political influence, and no longer appoint the mediator who conducts exploratory talks when forming government coalitions.
Exquisite: The stunning view shows the opulent
surroundings that he dignitaries dined in, as outside civilians took to
the streets to welcome their new king
Fit for a King and Queen: Queen Beatrix of the
Netherlands was surrounded by Royal figures, including Camilla, Duchess
of Cornwall, who can be seen in sparkling white
Princess Stephanie, Hereditary Grand Duchess of
Luxembourg (second left) mingled with other guests before the candle-lit
dinner, which was served in the beautiful museum