Advertisement

Willem-Alexander

Dutch King

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) welcomes Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima (L) at the Chancellery in Berlin (Photo: REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) welcomes Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima (L) at the Chancellery in Berlin (Photo: REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz)

Dutch royal visit to Germany

The Netherlands’ new royal couple are in Germany for a first official visit in their new capacity, after the abdication of Queen Beatrix. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were greeted by Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima walk after attending a religious ceremony at the Nieuwe Kerk church in Amsterdam April 30, 2013. The Netherlands is celebrating Queen's Day on Tuesday, which also marks the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the investiture of her eldest son Willem-Alexander. REUTERS/Jasper Juinen/Pool (NETHERLANDS - Tags: ROYALS POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT)

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima walk after attending a religious ceremony at the Nieuwe Kerk church in Amsterdam April 30, 2013. The Netherlands is celebrating Queen's Day on Tuesday, which also marks the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the investiture of her eldest son Willem-Alexander. REUTERS/Jasper Juinen/Pool (NETHERLANDS - Tags: ROYALS POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT)

New Dutch king takes the throne

King Willem-Alexander has officially ascended the Dutch throne. In his speech, he vowed to serve the Netherlands following his mother's example. Queen Beatrix officially ended her 33-year-reign the same day.

Princess Beatrix of Netherlands (C), her son, Dutch King Willem-Alexander (L) and his wife Queen Maxima wave to the crowd from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam April 30, 2013. The Netherlands is celebrating Queen's Day on Tuesday, which will also mark the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the investiture of her eldest son Willem-Alexander. REUTERS/Paul Vreeker (NETHERLANDS - Tags: POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT ROYALS)

Princess Beatrix of Netherlands (C), her son, Dutch King Willem-Alexander (L) and his wife Queen Maxima wave to the crowd from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam April 30, 2013. The Netherlands is celebrating Queen's Day on Tuesday, which will also mark the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the investiture of her eldest son Willem-Alexander. REUTERS/Paul Vreeker (NETHERLANDS - Tags: POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT ROYALS)

First Dutch king since 1890

Eight hundred thousand visitors have flocked to Amsterdam to join the festivities underway to inaugurate the first Dutch king since 1890. Queen Beatrix abdicated after 33 years on the throne.

Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands arrive at a dinner hosted by the Queen (Photo via Getty images)

Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands arrive at a dinner hosted by the Queen (Photo via Getty images)

Queen Beatrix bids farewell

Queen Beatrix has expressed her thanks to the people of the Netherlands in her farewell speech. It came hours before the queen was due to abdicate the throne to make way for her son Crown Prince Willem-Alexander.

HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

Stubborn Royals

With many European monarchs now septuagenarians, the younger generation is tugging at their ermine.