Netherlands counts down to royal handover

Willem-Alexander and his future queen Maxima,

Today is officially Queen's Day in the Netherlands, and this year's party will be about celebrating the arrival of the nation's new 46-year-old King and the abdication of his 75-year-old mother, who is retiring after 33 years in the job.

On Monday, Willem-Alexander, his future queen Maxima, and their three young daughters arrived to cheers from onlookers and press at Amsterdam's Nieuwe Kerk for a final dress rehearsal.

The 600-year-old church will be the scene of Willem-Alexander's investiture, which will become official once his mother signs her abdication at 11am local time (5:00am EST).

Following this, the new King, his wife and the former queen, who will become a princess once again, will appear on the palace balcony to wave and address the crowds in Dam Square.

They will then head from the palace to the 600-year-old Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church, next door where the King will swear an oath to uphold the Dutch constitution before lawmakers.

Today's ceremonies will be attended by those waiting in line for thrones around the world, including Britain's Prince Charles, Spain's Prince Felipe and Japan's Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako, who is on her first trip abroad in nearly seven years.

Nearly 1 million people are expected to join the street party with dancing, bands and DJs helping create a carnival atmosphere.

Read more: Netherlands counts down to royal handover - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Europe's royals feel the pinch - "the party is over" - by Charlotte McDonald-Gibson

He may be a member of one of Europe's more popular royal families, but Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has not had the easiest few weeks. First there was a movement to cut his salary to the level of a bank manager's. Then his future subjects rebelled against the jarring song released to celebrate his accession to the throne.


But as he takes over from his mother, Queen Beatrix, on Tuesday in all the pomp and pageantry of a coronation, he can find comfort in the fact that matters are far worse elsewhere in Europe.

King Juan Carlos of Spain's daughter may have to appear before a magistrate next month to answer questions about her husband's tax dealings. The Swedish king's alleged penchant for nude dancers has sent his support plummeting to less than 50 per cent. Belgium's dowager queen has had her allowance slashed after plans to squirrel her inheritance away tax-free provoked uproar.

As unemployment soars across the continent and the recession forces households to tighten their belts, royal displays of opulence are simply no longer acceptable. Many Europeans back the abdication of ageing monarchs – whether they be alleged philanderers, spendthrifts, or simply out-of-touch – and are demanding increased scrutiny of exactly where the royal millions go.

Read more: Europe's royals feel the pinch - Europe - World - The Independent

The Netherlands: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands to abdicate for son

In a pre-recorded address broadcast on TV, she said she would formally stand down on 30 April.

The queen, who is approaching her 75th birthday, said she had been thinking about this moment for several years and that now was "the moment to lay down my crown".

Queen Beatrix has been head of state since 1980, when her mother abdicated.
In the short televised statement, the queen said it was time for the throne to be held by "a new generation", adding that her son was ready to be king.

Prince Willem-Alexander, 45, is married to Maxima Zorreguieta, a former investment banker from Argentina, and has three young children.

He is a trained pilot and an expert in water management. Willem Alexander will become the Netherlands' first king since Willem III, who died in 1890.

Read more: BBC News - Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands to abdicate for son