Dutch Abdication: What Happens Now?

Dutch Abdication: What Happens Now?

Who is Who?

When Queen Beatrix signs the instrument of abdication, she will cease to be queen at that moment and will revert to the title and style of Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau. She will be addressed as Your Royal Highness.

At that time, Prince Willem-Alexander will officially be proclaimed King. His official title will be His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands. He will be addressed as Your Majesty.

Willem-Alexander’s wife, Princess Máxima, will become Her Majesty Queen Máxima. She will be addressed as Your Majesty, with the duties of a queen consort.

Willem-Alexander’s eldest daughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia, will be known as Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange. The title Prince/Princess of Orange is given to those who are the heir to the throne.

What will happen on the day?

In the Netherlands, monarchs are not crowned, but invested. The new king or queen immediately assumes the duties of head of state at the moment their predecessor dies or abdicates. The Dutch Constitution stipulates that the new monarch must be sworn in and invested as soon as possible after such an event.

Queen’s Day to become King’s Day

There will no longer be an official Koninginnedag (Queen’s Day), on April 30th. That’s the day that the Netherlands celebrates the Queen’s official birthday. It will now be referred to as King’s Day and be celebrated on April 27th, Willem-Alexander’s birthday.