January 28th, 2013
01:19 PM ET

Netherlands queen to step aside; son will take throne

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has just announced in a recorded statement that she is to abdicate her throne on April 30 – 33 years to the day since she took over from her mother, Juliana, who also abdicated.

The queen will be 75 on Thursday.

Her son, Crown Prince Willem- Alexander will ascend the throne.

The queen's, or king's, position in the Netherlands is largely ceremonial with little real political power.

We'll provide more details as they come in to CNN.

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Filed under: Netherlands • World
soundoff (71 Responses)
  1. Lamoraal Van Egmont

    Hup Holland

    January 28, 2013 at 1:34 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Basil

    Lame. Cannabis use per capita is higher in the US than the Netherlands.

    January 28, 2013 at 1:46 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Andrew

    These people are fakes. I'm the rightful heir to the throne.

    January 28, 2013 at 1:51 pm | Report abuse |
  4. woof

    She's a grand old broad.

    January 28, 2013 at 1:53 pm | Report abuse |
  5. woof

    Why not............................

    January 28, 2013 at 1:54 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Abe Froman

    One step closer for Julia Stiles!

    January 28, 2013 at 1:55 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Scott

    Party on Garth! ;)

    Scott

    January 28, 2013 at 1:55 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Smokethis

    People named Basil smoke basil.

    January 28, 2013 at 2:01 pm | Report abuse |
  9. GonzoinHouston

    The job just wasn't any fun since they took away the royal authority for beheadings.

    January 28, 2013 at 2:01 pm | Report abuse |
  10. aardman

    @Basil Of course it is, forbidden fruit and all that. All the more reason to decriminalize pot. But our do-gooders here will never let it happen.

    January 28, 2013 at 2:04 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Goodstuff

    God Verdomme!

    January 28, 2013 at 2:13 pm | Report abuse |
  12. SCBAMA

    She has some American in her when she was younger. I personally saw to that.

    January 28, 2013 at 2:16 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Zwei Stein

    I can't see her palms, but the fingers tell me a lot as well. OK, see those narrow fingernails? Proof positive that she is selfish in bed. And the length of the little finger as compared to her ring finger tells me that she is a natural, strong, decisive leader. I'm sorry to see the arthritis...it is painful.
    Enjoy your retirement Queen Beatrix!

    January 28, 2013 at 2:18 pm | Report abuse |
  14. croco3

    I'm surprised none has yet mentioned a certain queen who's been on the throne for 60 years now!
    Best of luck to Queen Beatrix in her golden years!

    January 28, 2013 at 2:19 pm | Report abuse |
  15. snowdogg

    Elizabeth II should have done this at least 30 years ago.

    January 28, 2013 at 2:20 pm | Report abuse |
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