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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have a grand ol time
Kudos! to her majesty,i hope this w'll served as a lession,to our African Royals,who believed that it's better to die disgracefully, then to abdicate in humble manner. Sambe.
How do I become king?
Strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
"Help! I'm being repressed! Can't you see him repressing me?......"
Boy, does she look like a character straight out of the Looking Glass?
"A King Edward Jerry! A King Edward! I am gonna THINK about THIS!"
Strange women, lying in ponds, distributing swrods, is no basis for a system of government
My friends and I are going to start the "Strange Redheads In Samite Bikinis Lobbin Scimitars As a Basis For a System Of Government Party" You are hereby invited to join, you silly person, you.
Monty Python is that you?
Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help, I'm being repressed!
We're an Anarcho-Syndacalist commune...
So glad we don't have a queen and king.
Why? It matters not.
She was a great Queen for Holland. So was her mother Juliana. Queen Wilihemina died of syphillis.
Isn't this royalty business a little passe'?
No.
absolutely not
it must suck to be a King or Queen of a country without having any power.
Yes, I'm sure that Queen Beatrix and Queen Elizabeth sob into their pillow every night.
Yeah it really sucks to be filthy rich and beloved.
Never been to Holland I guess.
oh look, its the Bilderberg
Lindsey Lohan in a few months?
Queen Beatrix has served her wonderful nation beautifully.
Not a bad job; nice lodgings, wealth, fame, and respect, no real responsibility -all you have to do is show up at ribbon-cutting ceremonies and avoid scandal being reported in the tabloids (at least keep it a secret).