Abdication King Albert of the Belgians and inauguration King Philippe of the Belgians: Pictures

- Click HERE to view pictures at the official website of the abdication and inauguration of the Bal National.
- Click HERE to view pictures at the official website of the abdication and inauguration of the Te Deum church service at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels.
- Click HERE to view pictures at the official website of the abdication and inauguration of the signing of the Act o.
- Click HERE to view pictures at the official website of the abdication and inauguration of King Philippe being sworn in before the Parliament.
- Click HERE to view pictures at the official website of the abdication and inauguration of the balcony scene.
- Click HERE to view the official pictures at the official website of the abdication and inauguration of
- Click HERE to view pictures at the official website of the abdication and inauguration of the visit to the Unknown Soldier at the Congress Column and the reviewing of the civil and military troops
- Click HERE to view pictures at the official website of the abdication and inauguration of the evening festivities.

Abdication of King Albert of the Belgians: The speech

Click HERE to read the (Google Translation of the) speech of (then) HM King Albert of the Belgians ahead of the signing of the abdication.

Abdication King Albert of the Belgians and inauguration King Philippe of the Belgians: Watch it live

Click HERE to watch the abdication of HM King Albert King of the Belgians and the inauguration of HM King Phillipe the Belgians live.

Abdication King Albert and Inauguration King Philippe of the Belgians: The schedule

The following schedule for the abdication of HM King Albert and inauguration of HM King Philippe of the Belgians has been released.

Saturday 20 July 2013
7.30 p.m. - Concert ‘Prelude to the National Celebration’ in the presence of the Royal Family at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels
9 p.m. - The "Bal national" takes place at the Jeu de Balle square in Brussels, in the presence of TM King Albert and Queen Paola and TRH the Duke and Duchess of Brabant.

Sunday 21 July 2013
9.00 a.m. - Te Deum at the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula in Brussels
10.30 a.m. - Abdication ceremony of King Albert II at the Royal Palace in Brussels
12 noon - King Philippe is sworn in before the two chambers of the Belgian federal parliament at the Palace of the Nation
1 p.m. - The new King and Queen and the Royal Family greet the population from the balcony of the Royal Palace on Place des Palais
2.10 p.m. - The new King pays homage to the Unknown Soldier at the Congress Column
4.05 p.m. - King Philippe reviews the civil and military troops
5 p.m. - Civil and military parade on Place des Palais 7 p.m. The new King and Queen attend the celebrations in the Parc de Bruxelles
11 p.m. - The Royal Family watches the firework display that will be launched from the Palace of the Academies on Place des Palais

Source: 21july.monarchie.be

Abdication of King Albert II of the Belgians: Speech by the King [Video]

A video of the speech by HM King Albert II of the Belgians on occasion of the announcement his abdication. Click HERE to read the Google Translation of the speech. [at my Dutch blog]

King Albert II of the Belgians announces abdication in favor of the Duke of Brabant

HM King Albert II of the Belgians has announced today, 3 July, 2013, that he is abdicating in favor of his eldest son, HRH the Duke of Brabant, Prince Philippe.

The King will abdicate on 21 July 2013.

Emir of Qatar to abdicate tomorrow

HH the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has announced that he will abdicate tomorrow in favor of his fourth son [his second son with his second wife, HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned], HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Crown Prince of Qatar.

The Crown Prince has 2 wives. His first (senior) wife is HH Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani of Qatar. They were married on 8 January 2005 and they have 4 children together, HE Sheikha Almayassa (2006), HE Sheikh Hamad (2008), HE Sheikha Aisha (2010) and HE Sheikh Jassim. (2012)

His second (junior) wife is HH Sheikha Anoud bint Mana Al-Hajri. They were married on 3 March 2009 and they have 2 children together, HE Sheikha Nayla (2010) and HE Sheikh Abdullah (2012).

Abdication of Queen Beatrix: Deed of Abdication

Bron: RVD

HQ picture:


Source: RVD

Text in Dutch:

Heden, dertig april MMXIII om tien uur in de ochtend, heb ik,

BEATRIX

Koningin der Nederlanden, Prinses van Oranje-Nassau, enz. enz. enz., in aanwezigheid van mijn oudste zoon, de Prins van Oranje, en zijn echtgenote, in het Koninklijk Paleis te Amsterdam bijeengeroepen de voorzitters van de beide Kamers der Staten-Generaal, de ministers van het Koninkrijk, de vice-president van de Raad van State van het Koninkrijk, de leden van de deputaties uit Aruba, Curaçao en Sint Maarten, de commissaris van de Koningin in de provincie Noord-Holland, de burgemeester van Amsterdam en de directeur van het Kabinet der Koningin, om in hun tegenwoordigheid met een plechtige verklaring uitvoering te geven aan het door mij op achtentwintig januari jongstleden meegedeelde voornemen afstand te doen van het koningschap.

Ik verklaar dat ik thans afstand doe van het koningschap van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, welk koningschap van dit moment af overgaat op mijn oudste zoon en opvolger,


WILLEM-ALEXANDER

Prins van Oranje, overeenkomstig de bepalingen van het Statuut en de Grondwet voor het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden.

Deze verklaring, met mijn handtekening bekrachtigd en ondertekend door mijn oudste zoon en zijn echtgenote, alsmede door alle autoriteiten thans door mij bijeengeroepen en hier aanwezig, zal in het archief van het Kabinet van de Koning worden bewaard, nadat deze van het Grootzegel van het Koninkrijk is voorzien.

Authentieke afschriften zullen worden gezonden aan de beide Kamers der Staten-Generaal, aan de Raad van State van het Koninkrijk en aan de Staten van Aruba, Curaçao en Sint Maarten.

Source: RVD

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands signs the Act of Abdication: The Netherlands has a new King

HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has just signed the Act of Abdication. This means that the Prince of Orange has just become King of the Netherlands. His daughter, Princess Amalia, is the new Princess of Orange.

The former Queen is now styled/titled HRH Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands.

Queen Máxima wore a dress from Nathan.

HQ picture:


© ANP

Deeds of Abdication - Queen Wilhelmina and Queen Juliana of the Netherlands

Abdication of HM Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands: Deed of Abdication, 1948

© Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Kabinet der Koningin Verbaalarchief, 1976-1988, nummer toegang 2.02.30, inventarisnummer 13999

Abdication of HM Queen Juliana of the Netherlands: Deed of Abdication, 1980

© Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Kabinet der Koningin Verbaalarchief, 1976-1988, nummer toegang 2.02.30, inventarisnummer 13999

HQ pictures:


© Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Kabinet der Koningin Verbaalarchief, 1976-1988, nummer toegang 2.02.30, inventarisnummer 13999

Program of the abdication of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands

The Dutch Royal Royal Court has published the program for the abdication of HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the inauguration of HM King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands on 30 April 2013.

10.00 - 10.30 o'clock
The abdication of Queen Beatrix takes place at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. The Queen signs the Act of Abdication in the Moses Hall.

10.30 - 10.50 o'clock
(Then) TM King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and (then) HRH Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands enter the balcony of the Palace. Both the (then) King and (then) Princess Beatrix hold (short) speech. Afterwards (then) HRH the Princess of Orange, Princess Catharina-Amalia, HRH Princess Alexia and HRH Princess Ariane of the Netherlands enter the balcony.

13.55 o'clock
The King leaves for the Nieuwe Kerk.

14.00 - 15.30 o'clock
Swearing in and inauguration of the new King during the joint session of the Staten Generaal in the Nieuwe Kerk. The king will give a speech and take the oath.

16.30 - 17.30 o'clock
Reception for authorities and members of the Staten Generaal in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.

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

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

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