Willem-Alexander sworn in as king of the Netherlands

Willem-Alexander has been sworn in as
king of the Netherlands following the
abdication of Queen Beatrix.
He became the country’s first king since
1890 when his 75-year-old mother signed
the abdication deed earlier on Tuesday
after 33 years on the throne.
Huge crowds of orange-clad partygoers
are in Amsterdam to pay tribute.
The queen had announced her intention
to stand down in January, saying her son
was ready to reign.
Now known as Princess Beatrix, the
former queen maintained a recent Dutch
tradition of monarch’s handing over
power to a new generation.
Willem-Alexander was officially sworn in
at a colourful secular ceremony in the
Nieuwe Kerk, a decommissioned church,
before a joint session of the Dutch
parliament.
Crowds in the square outside cheered as
the announcement of the inauguration
was made from a balcony overlooking the
square amid trumpet fanfare.
In the evening, the royal family will take
part in a water pageant.
The queen had announced her intention
to stand down in January, saying her son
was ready to reign and that it was time
for the throne to be held by “a new
generation”.
She formally relinquished the throne at a
short ceremony in the Royal Palace on
Tuesday, signing a statement transferring
the monarchy to her son “in accordance
with the statutes and the constitution of
the Kingdom of the Netherlands”.
There were huge cheers from the crowds
outside in Dam Square, who were
watching the ceremony on giant television
screens, as she, her son and his wife
Maxima – a 41-year-old Argentine-born
investment banker – signed the deed of
abdication.
Shortly afterwards, the three royals
emerged on a balcony above the square.
The visibly emotional Princess Beatrix told
the crowds: “I am happy and grateful to
introduce to you your new king, Willem-
Alexander.”