sirgonzo420
12th February 2013, 09:26 AM
In an announcement broadcast on national media on 28 January 2013, Beatrix announced her intention to abdicate (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdicate) on 30 April (Queen's Day (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koninginnedag)), when she will have been on the throne for exactly 33 years. Beatrix stated that it was time to "place the responsibility for the country in the hands of a new generation."[19] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_of_the_Netherlands#cite_note-AlJ-abdicate1-19) Her heir apparent (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heir_apparent) is her eldest son, Prince Willem-Alexander (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem-Alexander,_Prince_of_Orange).[20] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_of_the_Netherlands#cite_note-BBCabdicate1-20) She will be the third successive Dutch monarch to abdicate the throne, following her grandmother (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelmina_of_the_Netherlands) and her mother (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliana_of_the_Netherlands).[20] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_of_the_Netherlands#cite_note-BBCabdicate1-20) The broadcast was followed by a statement from Prime Minister Mark Rutte (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Rutte) who paid tribute to Beatrix, saying "Since her investiture in 1980 she has applied herself heart and soul for Dutch society."[19] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_of_the_Netherlands#cite_note-AlJ-abdicate1-19)
The official programme for the abdication and investiture will take place on 30 April 2013. The Queen will sign the Instrument of Abdication at the Royal Palace, Amsterdam. The investiture of Willem-Alexander as king will then take place at the Nieuwe Kerk (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nieuwe_Kerk_%28Amsterdam%29) in Amsterdam.[21] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_of_the_Netherlands#cite_note-21)
Here is her son's monogram:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Royal_Monogram_of_Prince_Willem-Alexander_of_the_Netherlands.svg
I wonder if Queen Elizabeth II will also abdicate in favor of Prince Charles (or perhaps more likely, her grandson William) in the coming months...
The official programme for the abdication and investiture will take place on 30 April 2013. The Queen will sign the Instrument of Abdication at the Royal Palace, Amsterdam. The investiture of Willem-Alexander as king will then take place at the Nieuwe Kerk (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nieuwe_Kerk_%28Amsterdam%29) in Amsterdam.[21] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_of_the_Netherlands#cite_note-21)
Here is her son's monogram:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Royal_Monogram_of_Prince_Willem-Alexander_of_the_Netherlands.svg
I wonder if Queen Elizabeth II will also abdicate in favor of Prince Charles (or perhaps more likely, her grandson William) in the coming months...