Abdication/inauguration day in 10 (+1) pictures
As you might know, today was a pretty special day in The Netherlands. Our Queen of 33 years, Queen Beatrix, abdicated in favor of her son, the now-King Willem-Alexander. He is the first King of our country in over 120 years, as we've had three successive Queens and a Queen Regent before him. It was a wonderful day, filled with ceremonies and festivities. I'd like to share some of this with you, so I picked 11 pictures of what the day was like. Enjoy!
The Dam Square, in front of the Royal Palace, fills up with people dressed in orange outfits who want to watch the abdication/inauguration first hand.
After signing the abdication act, former Queen Beatrix takes the hand of her son, the new King.
The King and Queen appear on the balcony of the Royal Palace with their three daughters, Crown Princess Amalia, Alexia and Ariane.
A last quick clean of the carpet over which all the guests for the inauguration ceremony will walk from the Royal Palace to the church.
The press (almost a 1000 journalists from all over the world!) have their own tower on the Dam Square from which to film and cover the proceedings.
A large number of royal guests from all over the world attended the inauguration ceremony. Here Mette-Marit and Haakon, the Crown Princely pair of Norway. I really loved Mette-Marit's look (dress and hair), I liked her look best of all the royal visitors.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima enter the church. Doesn't Maxima look stunning in the dress and robe in royal blue? The King wears the inauguration robe, which was already worn by the first Dutch King Willem I in 1815 (though the robe has been extensively adapted and restored multiple times over the years).
Crown Princess Amalia has a little chat with the grandmother, the now Princess Beatrix. They are also both wearing lovely blue dresses.
After the King is inaugurated, the members of Parliament affirm their trust in and loyalty to the new King.
The Honour Guard, standing outside the Royal Palace, cannot move from their place all afternoon, so they are brought some dextrose to keep them going! Funny video here.
The Royal Family get on board of a ship for the 'Koningsvaart' taking them over the river 't Ij, with crowds of people alongside both quays and performances (musical, dance etc.) on different ships.
If you want to watch a bit of this day in moving images, there are some videos with English comments here at the CNN website and the BBC website.
I previously posted in my '100 things challenge' about the Dutch royalty, here, here and here