Dutch Queen Beatrix to abdicate in favour of son on April 30
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Buy SPH photosTHE HAGUE (AFP) - Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced Monday that she would abdicate in favour of her son Crown Prince Willem Alexander after 33 years in power.
"It is with the greatest of confidence, that I will hand over the throne on April 30 to my son, Willem Alexander, Prince of Orange," Queen Beatrix said in a televised address, using the official title of the heir apparent.
The queen, who is to turn 75 on Thursday, said her birthday and the 200-year anniversary of the monarchy in 2013 "were the reason for me to step down".
"I'm not standing down because public service is too heavy for me, but because of the belief that responsibility for our country should be in the hands of a new generation," she said.
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Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (left) and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander applaud during the renaming ceremony of the National University of Singapore's Aquatic Science Centre in Singapore on Jan 25, 2013. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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People hold a banner reading "A well deserved retirement! King Willem IV will do good as well!" at the Palace Huis ten Bosch, the residential palace of Dutch Queen Beatrix, on Jan 28, 2013. Queen Beatrix announced that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
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In this photo dated March 18, 2011, Dutch Queen Beatrix paints a wall at a children's foundation centre on the Dutch national voluteers day in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
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In this Oct 5, 1992, file photo, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (left) shows deep concern as Mr Hans Ernst, commander of Amsterdam's fire Brigade explains the situation at the scene where an El Al 747 cargo plane crashed into a nine story apartment building in Amsterdam, killing over 200 people. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
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In this April 29, 2000, file photo, Dutch Queen Beatrix receives tulips during her visit to the western Dutch city of Leiden. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
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In this March 11, 1999, file photo, South African President Nelson Mandela (left) is welcomed by Dutch Queen Beatrix after he arrived for a two-day offical visit, at the Valkenburg Marine Airbase in The Netherlands. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
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In this May 27, 1997, file photo, Dutch Queen Beatrix (foreground) and President Bill Clinton listen to the national anthems upon his arrival at the royal palace Noordeinde, in The Hague, Netherlands. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
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Dutch Queen Beatrix (right), her husband Prince Claus and her son and heir to thrown Prince Willem Alexander (left) are seen waving to well wishers from the balcony of her official working residence after presenting the Netherlands' budget for 2000 in The Hague in this Sept 21, 2000, file photo. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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In this July 25, 1968, file photo, Netherlands' Queen Beatrix (right) and her husband Prince Claus pose with their 15-month-old son Prince Willem Alexander in front of the Royal family's summer villa in Porto Ercole, Italy. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
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In this April 30, 1980, file photo, Queen Beatrix (left) and her husband Prince Claus are shown during her crowning ceremony at Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
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In this Dec 6, 1940, file photo, Crown Princess Juliana (centre) of the Netherlands is seen with her two daughters, Princess Beatrix (left) and Princess Irene. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
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In this May 13, 1967, file photo, then Dutch crown Princess Beatrix and her husband Claus admire their newborn son, Prince Alexander, at their residence Castle Drakensteyn in Baarn, Netherlands. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
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Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands walks with Singapore's President Tony Tan during an honour guard ceremony at the Istana in Singapore on Jan 24, 2013. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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This photo taken on Jan 12, 2012, shows Dutch Queen Beatrix at the Grand Mosque in Muscat on the last day of the State visit to Oman. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
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In this April 30, 1980, file photo, Princess Juliana (right), just after her abdication, kisses her eldest daughter Queen Beatrix on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
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The Netherlands' Queen Beatrix (right) and her son Crown Prince Willem-Alexander are seen waving to well-wishers from the balcony of the Royal Noordeinde Palace after opening the new parliamentary year in The Hague in this April 15, 2011 file photo. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Picture taken on July 4, 2011, of Dutch Queen Beatrix (top left) posing with Princess Maxima, Prince Willem-Alexander (top right) and their daughters (from left) Princess Alexia, Princess Amalia and Princess Ariane during their summer holiday in Tavernelle, near Florence in Italy. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands exchanges a smile with Singapore's President Tony Tan (right) on Jan 24, 2013 at the Istana or presidential palace in Singapore during her official four-day state visit to the country. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
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Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands sits with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (left) on Jan 24, 2013, at the Istana or presidential palace in Singapore during her official four-day state visit to the country. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
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This picture taken on Jan 21, 2013, shows Dutch queen Beatrix (left) talking with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in Bandar Seri Begawan. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Dutch Queen Beatrix (left) receives the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, at the Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague on Nov 14, 2012. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Dutch Queen Beatrix (right) receives Liberia President Johnson Sirleaf at Huis ten Bosch in the Hague, the Netherlands, on Nov 8, 2012. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, at the end of April, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
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(From left) Research fellow Umid Man Joshi, Dutch royalty Princess Maxima, Prince Willem-Alexander, Queen Beatrix and Singapore-Delft Water Alliance’s director Vladan Babovic at the Van Kleef Centre on Jan 25, 2013. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, at the end of April, after 33 years in power. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
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In this photo dated on Sept 18, 2012, Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands looks on from the Golden Carriage as she leaves Noordeinde Palace for a ride to the Ridderzaal in The Hague on Prince's Day (Prinsjesdag), the presentation of the comming financial year. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, at the end of April, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (left) and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander applaud during the renaming ceremony of the National University of Singapore's Aquatic Science Centre in Singapore on Jan 25, 2013. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
People hold a banner reading "A well deserved retirement! King Willem IV will do good as well!" at the Palace Huis ten Bosch, the residential palace of Dutch Queen Beatrix, on Jan 28, 2013. Queen Beatrix announced that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
In this photo dated March 18, 2011, Dutch Queen Beatrix paints a wall at a children's foundation centre on the Dutch national voluteers day in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
In this Oct 5, 1992, file photo, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (left) shows deep concern as Mr Hans Ernst, commander of Amsterdam's fire Brigade explains the situation at the scene where an El Al 747 cargo plane crashed into a nine story apartment building in Amsterdam, killing over 200 people. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
In this April 29, 2000, file photo, Dutch Queen Beatrix receives tulips during her visit to the western Dutch city of Leiden. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
In this March 11, 1999, file photo, South African President Nelson Mandela (left) is welcomed by Dutch Queen Beatrix after he arrived for a two-day offical visit, at the Valkenburg Marine Airbase in The Netherlands. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
In this May 27, 1997, file photo, Dutch Queen Beatrix (foreground) and President Bill Clinton listen to the national anthems upon his arrival at the royal palace Noordeinde, in The Hague, Netherlands. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
Dutch Queen Beatrix (right), her husband Prince Claus and her son and heir to thrown Prince Willem Alexander (left) are seen waving to well wishers from the balcony of her official working residence after presenting the Netherlands' budget for 2000 in The Hague in this Sept 21, 2000, file photo. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
In this July 25, 1968, file photo, Netherlands' Queen Beatrix (right) and her husband Prince Claus pose with their 15-month-old son Prince Willem Alexander in front of the Royal family's summer villa in Porto Ercole, Italy. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
In this April 30, 1980, file photo, Queen Beatrix (left) and her husband Prince Claus are shown during her crowning ceremony at Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
In this Dec 6, 1940, file photo, Crown Princess Juliana (centre) of the Netherlands is seen with her two daughters, Princess Beatrix (left) and Princess Irene. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
In this May 13, 1967, file photo, then Dutch crown Princess Beatrix and her husband Claus admire their newborn son, Prince Alexander, at their residence Castle Drakensteyn in Baarn, Netherlands. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands walks with Singapore's President Tony Tan during an honour guard ceremony at the Istana in Singapore on Jan 24, 2013. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
This photo taken on Jan 12, 2012, shows Dutch Queen Beatrix at the Grand Mosque in Muscat on the last day of the State visit to Oman. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
In this April 30, 1980, file photo, Princess Juliana (right), just after her abdication, kisses her eldest daughter Queen Beatrix on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
The Netherlands' Queen Beatrix (right) and her son Crown Prince Willem-Alexander are seen waving to well-wishers from the balcony of the Royal Noordeinde Palace after opening the new parliamentary year in The Hague in this April 15, 2011 file photo. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Picture taken on July 4, 2011, of Dutch Queen Beatrix (top left) posing with Princess Maxima, Prince Willem-Alexander (top right) and their daughters (from left) Princess Alexia, Princess Amalia and Princess Ariane during their summer holiday in Tavernelle, near Florence in Italy. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands exchanges a smile with Singapore's President Tony Tan (right) on Jan 24, 2013 at the Istana or presidential palace in Singapore during her official four-day state visit to the country. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AP
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands sits with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (left) on Jan 24, 2013, at the Istana or presidential palace in Singapore during her official four-day state visit to the country. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
This picture taken on Jan 21, 2013, shows Dutch queen Beatrix (left) talking with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in Bandar Seri Begawan. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
Dutch Queen Beatrix (left) receives the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, at the Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague on Nov 14, 2012. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
Dutch Queen Beatrix (right) receives Liberia President Johnson Sirleaf at Huis ten Bosch in the Hague, the Netherlands, on Nov 8, 2012. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, at the end of April, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
(From left) Research fellow Umid Man Joshi, Dutch royalty Princess Maxima, Prince Willem-Alexander, Queen Beatrix and Singapore-Delft Water Alliance’s director Vladan Babovic at the Van Kleef Centre on Jan 25, 2013. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, at the end of April, after 33 years in power. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
In this photo dated on Sept 18, 2012, Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands looks on from the Golden Carriage as she leaves Noordeinde Palace for a ride to the Ridderzaal in The Hague on Prince's Day (Prinsjesdag), the presentation of the comming financial year. Queen Beatrix announced on Jan 28, 2013, that she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, at the end of April, after 33 years in power. -- PHOTO: AFP
