Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: Video of the announcement of the abdication

HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced on 28 January 2013 that she is planning to abdicate in favor of her son, HRH the Prince of Orange.

Watch the video of the announcement:


Source: Youtube; koninklijkhuis

New official picture of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

© RVD; picture: Frank van Beek; photoshop: Current Royal News

The Dutch Royal Court released a new official picture of HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

HQ picture:


© RVD, picture Frank van Beek

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: Name Change Queen's Cabinet

The name of the "Queen's Cabinet" will be changed to "Cabinet of the King" after the abdication of HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

This name change is in accordance with the Decree of 18 December 2003 laying down provisions for the Cabinet of the King.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: The investiture

Following the appearance on the balcony, the investiture of the new King will take place on the same day in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. The ceremony takes the form of a joint session of the two Houses of the States General, similar to the state opening of Parliament in the Hall of Knights in The Hague, at which the monarch delivers the Speech from the Throne. Under the Constitution, the President of the Senate presides over the joint session and thus acts as the host.

During the investiture the new King is confirmed in office and swears to be faithful to the Constitution and to faithfully discharge the duties of his office. In return, the members of the two Houses swear or affirm that they will uphold the doctrine that the ministers, and not the King, are responsible for acts of governmentand that they will uphold the rights of the monarchy. The government and the President of the Senate issue invitations to the investiture to the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Cabinet, ministers of state, representatives of foreign governments, ambassadors, and members of other Royal Houses who are not reigning heads of state. The list of invitees will be released shortly before the investiture.

At the ceremony the King will wear a tail coat with white tieunder the royal mantle.

In addition to the Dutch constitution, the credence table beside the throne bears three regalia, symbols of the dignity and authority of the monarch. These are the crown (symbolising sovereignty and dignity), the sceptre (authority) and the orb (the territory of the Kingdom). The other two regalia - the sword of state (symbolising power) and the standard of the kingdom bearing the coat of arms of the Netherlands - are carried by two senior military officers. These regalia have been in use since the investiture of King Willem II in 1840.

Source: RVD

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: The abdication

On 30 April HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will sign the instrument of abdication in the Royal Palace, Amsterdam. This is the constitutional procedure by which she formally relinquishes the throne. Once the instrument is signed, in other words before the investiture ceremony, HRH the Prince of Orange will become King under constitutional law. He will be HM King Willem-Alexander.

The new King and the former Queen will then give a short address from the balcony of the Palace. The new King and Queen and their three young daughters will then make a public appearance on the balcony.

The abdications in 1948 and 1980 also took place in Amsterdam. In 1840, the abdication took place at Het Loo Palace.

Source: RVD

The King and Queen of Sweden attend the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry's 200th commemorative gathering

TM King Carl Gustav and Queen Silvia attended the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry's 200th commemorative gathering at Stockholm City Hall on 28 January 2013.

HQ pictures: 



© Kungl. Skogs- och Lantbruksakademien, pictures: Mats Gerentz

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: Prince of Orange resigns from official positions

In preparation for his accession to the throne, HRH the Prince of Orange is resigning from his official positions, with due regard for the terms of office and procedures of the organisations concerned.

In the year ahead HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the Prince of Orange will decide as to the continuation of their honorary posts and their patronage of organisations. Further announcements will be made on this subject in due course. In principle HRH Princess Máxima will continue as Queen to hold her current honorary and other posts.

 The Prince has asked the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to immediately relieve him of his duties as an IOC member in the Netherlands. Under the Olympic Charter, this means that the Prince's resignation must be approved at the IOC's next session in Buenos Aires in September 2013 and will take effect at the end of 2013.

 His resignation as Chairman of the United Nations Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB) will take place in consultation with the Secretary-General. He will also be resigning as Chairperson of the Water Advisory Committee, in consultation with the Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment.

Source: RVD

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: The new King's standard and coat of arms

From his investiture onwards, HM King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands will fly the royal standard. The royal standard will be flown above the palaces where the monarch resides and works and at Eikenhorst in Wassenaar when he is in the country. Queen Wilhelmina adopted this standard in 1908, and it has also been flown by Queen Juliana and Queen Beatrix.

From the time of his investiture the King will also use the royal coat of arms. This coat of arms is identical to the one used by HM Queen Beatrix. The royal coat of arms, which is the same as the coat of arms of the Kingdom, has only been altered once since the foundation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 1907, at the instigation of HM Queen Wilhelmina, the number of crowns was reduced to one, surmounting the shield. At the same time, it became possible to add the royal mantle, also surmounted by a crown. The addition of other decorative elements to the coat of arms is optional.

Illustrations of then HRH Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands will use the same coat of arms as before 1980, which is identical to that of her sisters.

Source: RVD

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: The new head of state of the Netherlands and his wife plan to visit the entire Kingdo

Within a year of ascending the throne, HM King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, accompanied by HM Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, will visit all the Dutch provinces and the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.

Source: RVD

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: Presidency of the Council of State

After the abdication of HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands the presidency of the Council of State will pass automatically to HM King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. The King of the Netherlands is the President of the Council under article 74 of the Dutch Constitution.

On reaching the age of majority HRH the Prince of Orange was automatically granted a seat in the Advisory Division of the Council of State. HRH Princess Máxima of the Netherlands was granted a seat in the Advisory Division of the Council of State on 1 October 2004. HRH Princess Catharina-Amalia will be granted her seat in the Advisory Division of the Council of State when she reaches the age of 18.

Source: RVD

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: Home for the future King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and home for future Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands

Following the inauguration, the family of HM King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands will initially continue to live at Eikenhorst in Wassenaar. At an appropriate moment the family will move to Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague.

In the intervening period Huis ten Bosch Palace will be used for official receptions and meetings. Noordeinde Palace will continue to be used as the monarch's place of work.

HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, after the abdication HRH Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands,  will take up residence at Drakensteyn Castle in Lage Vuursche.

Source: RVD

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: Time and place of abdication and investiture

The Dutch Royal Court has announced the date and place of the abdication of HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and investiture of HM King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.

Queen Beatrix will sign the Instrument of Abdication at the Royal Palace, Amsterdam. The investiture of King Willem-Alexander will then take place at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam.

Source: RVD

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: 2014 and onwards; Koningsdag instead of Koninginnedag

From 2014 onwards, Koningsdag (King's Day) will be celebrated on 27 April, the birthday of HRH the Prince of Orange and the future HM King Willem-Alexander. In 2014 it will be celebrated by the Royal Family in Amstelveen and De Rijp on 26 April, because April 27 is on Sunday.

During the reign of HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Koninginnedag (Queen's Day) was held on 30 April, the day of her inauguration.

Source: RVD

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: Change in titles

HRH the Prince of Orange will become HM King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands on 30 April 2013.

When Queen Beatrix abdicates, HRH the Prince of Orange will become HM King Willem-Alexander, and HRH  Máxima of the Netherlands will become HM Queen Máxima. After abdicating, Queen Beatrix will be called HRH Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, etc. As soon as the Prince of Orange ascends the throne, his eldest child, HRH Princess Catharina-Amalia, will be the first in line to the throne. She will then become HRH the Princess of Orange (under section 7 of the Membership of the Royal House Act).

The titles and names of the other members of the Royal Family will not change after Queen Beatrix's abdication. The membership of the Royal House and the line of succession will however change under the above Act.

After the abdication, the line of succession will begin with the children of His Majesty the King: Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexia, and Her Royal Highness Princess Ariane. The next in line will be His Royal Highness Prince Constantijn, his children and finally Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet.

After the abdication, the children of Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven will no longer be eligible for the throne. They will also cease to be members of the Royal House.

Source: RVD

The reason the list of members of the Royal House and the line of succession changes  is called the principle of proximity of blood. In this case it means that only those within three degrees of kinship can succeed and that only those within two degrees of kinship are members of the Royal House. (Of course this also includes his or her spouse.)


2 degrees of Kinships means the following in the case of HRH Prince Constantijn's children:
Countess Eloise, Count Claus-Casimir & Countess Leonore -> Prince Constantijn (1 degree) -> (Then) HRH Princess Beatrix (2 degrees) -> HM King Willem-Alexander (3 degrees)

This means they will still be in line of succession to the throne (3 degrees of Kinship), but won't be members of the Royal House. (2 degrees)

As for HRH Princess Margriet and her oldest two sons, HH prince Maurits and HH Prince Bernhard. Article 3.1 from the Wet lidmaatschap Koninklijk Huis (link below) states that everyone who was an adult at the effective date of the Act 9 (as well as their respective spouses) would remain a part of the Royal House as long as they were in line of succession. Therefor, Princess Margriet and her sons kept their membership of the Royal House with the Act of 2002. (With HH Prince Pieter-Christiaan and HH Prince Floris losing their memberships later on, because they didn't ask permission for their respective marriages.) Princess Margriet will remain in line of succession and therefor will also remain a member of the Royal House and Princes Maurits and Bernhard, no longer in line to the throne, will loose their membership of the Royal House.

However, membership of the Royal House CAN be given by Royal Degree, providing he or she is in line of succession. (Membership can also be given to spouses) Article 4. This does need to be approved by the Raad van State (= Council of State)

Source: Wet Lidmaatschap Koninklijk Huis via wetten.overheid.nl
Google Translation

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: Speech by the Prime Minister

HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced yesterday, 28 January 2013, that she will be abdicating on 30 April 2013. The speech of the Queen was followed by a speech of Prime Minister Rutte.

28 January 2013 

Queen Beatrix has just announced her abdication. At this special moment for the Queen and for our country, I first want to express my deep respect and admiration. Respect and admiration for the exceptional dedication that the Queen has shown to the Netherlands and its people for over 30 years. Since her investiture in 1980, she has worked with heart and soul for Dutch society. Visibly and steadfastly and with tremendous energy. That is why the speech she has just delivered evokes feelings of great warmth and gratitude throughout the Kingdom. And in this I include myself and other members of the government.
We will shortly bid farewell to a Queen at the heart of society. For Queen Beatrix was always there. On festive occasions, at celebrations of sporting successes and at major cultural events. But notably she was also there in difficult times. For example, when tragedy struck in the Bijlmermeer, in Enschede, and of course on Queen's Day in 2009. Her moving words immediately after the awful attack in Apeldoorn are forever engraved in our collective memory.

Anyone who has seen or met the Queen in person will agree that, with her knowledge and experience and her intense interest and commitment, she touches and helps people. In other countries, too, she made a deep impression on numerous official occasions. As a result, our Queen has grown into a Dutch icon. She has always taken her tasks extremely seriously, even in difficult circumstances. Including the years in which she has had to do without the support of Prince Claus. And after the terrible accident that befell her son Prince Friso. This makes our appreciation for the Queen's tireless dedication all the greater. 

Naturally, our thoughts today are also with Prince Willem-Alexander, who will succeed his mother after years of intense preparation. An important and demanding task awaits him. As the Prince himself said on the occasion of his 40th birthday: the monarchy should unite and encourage people, and also represent the Netherlands abroad. I am confident that the Prince and Princess will fulfil their new tasks and roles as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima with great success. In the best tradition of Queen Beatrix and generations of the House of Orange before her. 

The abdication and investiture will take place on 30 April. Let us make it an unforgettable celebration throughout the Kingdom, with due regard for the constraints imposed by these difficult times. A celebration that gives expression to the way we feel today. To the close connection we feel with the House of Orange and our deep affection for a monarch who has worked for the Netherlands with ceaseless devotion for over three decades.

Source: RVD

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication: Speech by the Queen

HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced yesterday, 28 January 2013, that she will be abdicating on 30 April 2013. The Queen announced it with the following speech:

28 January 2013  

As you all know, in a few days I hope to celebrate my 75th birthday. I am thankful that I have been granted the opportunity to do so in good health. At the end of this year we shall mark the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, an occasion that ushered in a new era in our history. The fact that these two special events coincide led me to decide to relinquish the throne this year. It seems to me to be an appropriate moment to take this step, which I have been considering for some time.
I have always regarded it as an exceptional privilege to have been able to dedicate a large part of my life to the service of our country and to have been able to discharge the duties of the monarchy as I was called to do. For many years Prince Claus was a great support to me in this task. 

Throughout this time I have derived great satisfaction from such a fulfilling role. It is inspiring to feel close to people, to sympathise with them in times of sorrow and to share in times of joy and national pride. That has also been my experience in the Caribbean parts of our Kingdom, where I have always encountered great warmth and hospitality. So I am abdicating not because my duties are becoming too burdensome, but because I am convinced that it is time for the responsibility for our country to pass to a new generation. On 30 April this year, with the utmost confidence, I shall hand over the duties of the monarchy to my son, the Prince of Orange. He and Princess Máxima are fully prepared for their future role. They will serve our country with dedication, faithfully uphold the Constitution and use their many talents to discharge the duties of the monarchy in their own distinctive way. 

I feel fortified by the knowledge that making way for my successor does not mean that I am taking my leave of you all. I hope still to have plenty of opportunities to meet many of you. I am deeply grateful to you for the trust that you have placed in me throughout the many rewarding years I have had the privilege of being your Queen.

Source: RVD

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication in favor of the Prince of Orange

Source: RVD

HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has announced today, January 28, 2013, that she is abdicating in favor of her eldest son, HRH the Prince of Orange, Prince Willem-Alexander.

The Prince of Orange will become King on 30 April 2013.

Once the Prince of Orange becomes King, his eldest daughter, HRH Princess Amalia of the Netherlands, will become HRH the Princess of Orange.

HQ picture:


Source: RVD

Tonight: Special Announcement by the Queen of the Netherlands

Tonight, January 28, 2013, at 19.00 pm, a speech by HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands from Palace Huis ten Bosch, will be broadcasted on radio and television. The speech is followed by a speech by the Prime Minister from "het Torentje" in The Hague.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attends World Economic Forum 2013

HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark is attending, in her capacity as a Young Global Leader, the World Economic Forum 2013.

HQ pictures day 1:


HQ pictures day 2:
 

Pictures: World Economic Forum via Mary Fonden

 Also attending are among others the following Royals:
- TM King Abdullah bin Al Hussein and Queen Rania of Jordan.
- HSH Prince Albert of Monaco.
- TRH Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.
- TRH the Duke and Duchess of Brabant, Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium.
- HRH the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
- HRH Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
- HRH Prince Faisal bin Turki Al Faisal Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
- HRH Prince Saud Bin Abdullah Bin Thenayan Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia.
- HH Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah of Kuwait.
- HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani of Qatar.