Willem-Alexander Becomes Dutch King as Mother Abdicates
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Willem-Alexander was installed as the Netherlands’ first king since 1890 after the abdication of his mother, Queen Beatrix, amid celebrations in Amsterdam.
The 75-year-old monarch signed the instrument of abdication this morning after 33 years on the throne in the Royal Palace on the city’s Dam Square, which was filled with as many as 25,000 people wearing orange, the Dutch national color. Willem-Alexander, 46, became king immediately. A few minutes later, Beatrix, Willem-Alexander and his wife, Maxima, appeared on the palace balcony to greet the crowds.