World News
Willem-Alexander - the Netherland's first king since 1890─── 14:38 Tue, 30 Apr 2013
Amsterdam - An enthronement ceremony has begun in the Netherlands for Willem-Alexander who became monarch after the abdication of his mother, 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.
Huge crowds of orange-clad partygoers are in Amsterdam to pay tribute.
Now known as Princess Beatrix, she has maintained a recent Dutch tradition in handing over to 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 which read: "I declare that I hereby step down from the monarchy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, that the monarchy from this moment on is transferred to my eldest son and heir Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, 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.
Shortly afterwards, the three royals emerged on a balcony above the square.
Queen Beatrix signed the deed of abdication at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, becoming Princess Beatrix and making her son the king. The queen is following a recent tradition in handing over power during her lifetime.
Thousands of people wearing orange, the national colour of the Netherlands, have gathered in Amsterdam for the ceremonies.
The queen has thanked the Dutch public for their "heart-warming displays of affection" throughout her reign.
On Monday she hosted a gala dinner for royals and dignitaries from around the world at the newly reopened Rijksmuseum.
The Dutch monarch has a largely ceremonial role - Willem-Alexander has said he will not expect people to call him "Your Majesty".
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.
Their eldest daughter, nine-year-old Catharina-Amalia, has become Princess of Orange and is now first-in-line to the throne.
Willem-Alexander will later be officially sworn in at a secular ceremony in the Nieuwe Kerk, a decommissioned church, before a joint session of the Dutch parliament.
In the evening, the royal family will take part in a water pageant.
BBC News
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.
Huge crowds of orange-clad partygoers are in Amsterdam to pay tribute.
Now known as Princess Beatrix, she has maintained a recent Dutch tradition in handing over to 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 which read: "I declare that I hereby step down from the monarchy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, that the monarchy from this moment on is transferred to my eldest son and heir Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, 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.
Shortly afterwards, the three royals emerged on a balcony above the square.
Queen Beatrix signed the deed of abdication at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, becoming Princess Beatrix and making her son the king. The queen is following a recent tradition in handing over power during her lifetime.
Thousands of people wearing orange, the national colour of the Netherlands, have gathered in Amsterdam for the ceremonies.
The queen has thanked the Dutch public for their "heart-warming displays of affection" throughout her reign.
On Monday she hosted a gala dinner for royals and dignitaries from around the world at the newly reopened Rijksmuseum.
The Dutch monarch has a largely ceremonial role - Willem-Alexander has said he will not expect people to call him "Your Majesty".
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.
Their eldest daughter, nine-year-old Catharina-Amalia, has become Princess of Orange and is now first-in-line to the throne.
Willem-Alexander will later be officially sworn in at a secular ceremony in the Nieuwe Kerk, a decommissioned church, before a joint session of the Dutch parliament.
In the evening, the royal family will take part in a water pageant.
BBC News
