Dutch Queen to abdicate

NETHERLANDS: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced Monday that she would abdicate in favour of her son Crown Prince Willem Alexander after 33 years in power.

"It is with the greatest of confidence, that I will hand over the throne on April 30 to my son, Willem Alexander, Prince of Orange," Beatrix said in a televised address, using the official title of the heir apparent. The queen, who is to turn 75 on Thursday, said her birthday and the 200-year anniversary of the monarchy in 2013 "were the reason for me to step down".

The day is traditionally the Dutch national holiday, Queen's Day, which will in future fall on April 27, Willem Alexander's birthday.

AFP