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Netherlands' Queen gives farewell speech
Source: Agencies |
April 30, 2013, Tuesday
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The Netherlands' Queen Beatrix thanked her people yesterday and urged them to support her son, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, in a final address before she abdicates and he takes over as king.
Beatrix, 75, is to sign the papers enacting the once-in-a-generation change of royal titles today, the central moment in several days of festivities that are already underway.
"Now that my oldest son is to take over this fine and responsible job tomorrow, it is my deep wish that the new royal couple will feel themselves supported by your loving trust," the popular monarch said in a nationally televised address. Willem-Alexander's Argentine-born wife Princess Maxima will be queen.
"I am convinced that Willem-Alexander will apply himself with true devotion for everything a good king is obliged to do."
Beatrix is hosting nobility from around Europe and beyond last night for a dinner at the newly renovated national museum, the Rijksmuseum. Guests will dine in front of Rembrandt van Rijn's masterpiece, the Night Watch.
Earlier in the day, the streets of Amsterdam began flooding with orange in honor of the ruling House of Oranje-Nassau, as government and noble guests prepared for the ceremonies, and the people of the country got ready for a huge party.
In the historic city center, vendors hawked orange t-shirts, hats and feather boas. Trams flew orange flags, and Dutch flags, as did many of the boats motoring through the city's ancient canals.
Shopkeepers hung orange streamers, set out orange flower displays and rolled in countless kegs of beer.
Meanwhile, city workers finished cleaning the streets, removing unwanted bicycles and setting up temporary urinals, many of them made of bright orange plastic.
More than a million people are expected in Amsterdam today, with 10,000 uniformed police, 3,000 plainclothes officers and an untold number of civil servants assisting in the logistics.
The airspace above Amsterdam was closed yesterday for three days. Dutch police swept Dam square for bombs, with assistance from German agents with sniffer dogs.
Beatrix, 75, is to sign the papers enacting the once-in-a-generation change of royal titles today, the central moment in several days of festivities that are already underway.
"Now that my oldest son is to take over this fine and responsible job tomorrow, it is my deep wish that the new royal couple will feel themselves supported by your loving trust," the popular monarch said in a nationally televised address. Willem-Alexander's Argentine-born wife Princess Maxima will be queen.
"I am convinced that Willem-Alexander will apply himself with true devotion for everything a good king is obliged to do."
Beatrix is hosting nobility from around Europe and beyond last night for a dinner at the newly renovated national museum, the Rijksmuseum. Guests will dine in front of Rembrandt van Rijn's masterpiece, the Night Watch.
Earlier in the day, the streets of Amsterdam began flooding with orange in honor of the ruling House of Oranje-Nassau, as government and noble guests prepared for the ceremonies, and the people of the country got ready for a huge party.
In the historic city center, vendors hawked orange t-shirts, hats and feather boas. Trams flew orange flags, and Dutch flags, as did many of the boats motoring through the city's ancient canals.
Shopkeepers hung orange streamers, set out orange flower displays and rolled in countless kegs of beer.
Meanwhile, city workers finished cleaning the streets, removing unwanted bicycles and setting up temporary urinals, many of them made of bright orange plastic.
More than a million people are expected in Amsterdam today, with 10,000 uniformed police, 3,000 plainclothes officers and an untold number of civil servants assisting in the logistics.
The airspace above Amsterdam was closed yesterday for three days. Dutch police swept Dam square for bombs, with assistance from German agents with sniffer dogs.
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