Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/netherlands/9833039/Queen-Beatrix-of-the-Netherlands-to-abdicate-throne-for-son.html

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands to abdicate throne for son

Holland's monarch tells her country that "responsibility for our nation should now lie in the hands of a new generation" as she passes the reins to her son Prince Willem-Alexander.



http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/maps_and_graphs/2013/1/28/1359398228926/Queen-Beatrix-abdicates-010.jpg
Well loved Monarch Queen Beatrix of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to abdicate within months


Dutch Queen Beatrix announced she was to abdicate on 30 April after 33 years as head of state, clearing the way for her eldest son, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, to become The Netherlands' first king in more than a century.

She explained she was stepping down "not because the burden of office is too heavy, but because of the conviction that the responsibility for our nation should now lie in the hands of a new generation."

The monarch, who turns 75 on Thursday, was thought to be giving time for her son to enjoy fatherhood before becoming King Willem-Alexander: he has three young daughters with Argentine investment banker Maxima Zorreguieta.

The announcement, in a nationally televised speech, signalled an end to the reign of one of Europe's longest-serving monarchs, whose time on the throne was marked by tumultuous shifts in Dutch society.

Observers believe Beatrix remained on the throne for so long in part because of unrest in Dutch society as the country struggled to assimilate more and more immigrants and shifted away from its traditional reputation as one of the world's most tolerant nations.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g0MwBmSxuM

Interesting that this generation of Monarchs across the European continent will be coming to an end in the next two or so decades - Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands herself, our own Queen Elizabeth II of the British Commonwealth, King Juan Carlos of Spain, King Carl of Sweden, King Harald V of Norway, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and King Albert II of Belgium.... all above the age of 65. Across the world in addition to those, there's (very) ageing monarchs in Thailand, Japan and Saudi Arabia as well.

To note though, this is a Dutch tradition that goes way back (abdicating rather than dying on the throne) so it's unlikely to be replicated in any of the other Kingdoms barring exceptions circumstances. But yeah, what a Lady with years of service under her belt. I adore Royalty. :P

Here's to a happy retirement.

Thoughts?

[GommeInc]

Apart from our own she is perhaps my favourite Queen. It's a shame she's going as she's been pretty interesting as far as Monarchs go. She brought the nation together at a time of grief when a car ploughed through crowds aiming towards the Royal Motorcade, making a rare television appearance very shortly after it happening. Plus the Dutch Royal Family get on strangely well with their members of parliament which should be a cause for concern but it isn't.

It's strange how quite a lot of the Monarchs around Europe are in those elder years, it would be strange to have younger Kings and Queens but it doesn't appear to be happening too soon, not for us at least.