Queen Beatrix abdicates the throne
Holland’s Queen abdicates the throne to Prince Willem-Alexander
By Nicole Hamer |12:23 30 April 2013
Prince Willem-Alexander is to be King, as Queen Beatrix abdicates the Dutch throne to her son. A ceremony held on Tuesday, 30thApril, marks the occasion in Amsterdam.
Queen Beatrix, who reigned for over three decades, passes the throne to her 46-year-old son reportedly in favour of a ‘new generation’.
Thousands of people gather in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, as the new King becomes the first Dutch King in over a century.
Queen Beatrix said, as quoted by The Telegraph: “Without your heart-warming and encouraging signs of affection, the burden would have weighed very heavily. Now my oldest son will take over this beautiful and responsible task.
“It is my sincere wish that the new royal couple will feel, through your behaviour, loving trust. I am convinced that Willem-Alexander will be committed to doing everything a good king should.”
Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands, and is situated in the area of North Holland in the West of the country.
Many tourists visit the capital every year, where they can soak up culture and see a range of places to visit.