Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announces abdication.

[Dutchy]

On January 28th, 2013 19:00 Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard, Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands announced her abdication.
She plans to resign on the April 30th 2013, on queens day.

Prince Willem-Alexander is the heir apparent to the throne, together with his wife Princess Máxima, whom will take over the role as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.

Beatrix' abdication speech:
Abdication (Subtitled) Speech Queen of the Netherlands Aftreden Koningin Beatrix engels ondertiteld

[Salmonella]

Saw it live, naturally.

I think it'll take some time of getting used to, because we've had a queen for almost the entire 20th century. When I think about important events such as the liberation of the Netherlands after World War II, I think about the queen, and for the events to come that'll have something to do with the royal family, it'll mainly be a king from now on. A king which I personally have never taken too seriously.

[~Legend~]

It is livening to see that a strong sense of monarchy still exists.

[Mikal]

It is livening to see that a strong sense of monarchy still exists.

Without the bloody mary part?

Honestly I thought the British queen looked miserable some times.. :razz:

[Squeak]

It is to see that a strong sense of monarchy still exists.

appalling*

[Mikal]

appalling*

How is it appalling? :trust:

[Jellyfish]

It is livening to see that a strong sense of monarchy still exists.

Prior to reading this topic, I wasn't even aware that Netherlands was a monarchy.  :razz:

[Mikal]

Prior to reading this topic, I wasn't even aware that Netherlands was a monarchy.  :razz:

Neither was I, to be honest I thought the UK was the only country left with a monarchy..

[Ratko Gavrilovic]

It is livening to see that a strong sense of monarchy still exists.

Monarchy?
The queen in Holland is just a symbolic aspect. She talks to people who were involved in disasters etc.
She in no way governs the country.

[Salmonella]

Monarchy?
The queen in Holland is just a symbolic aspect. She talks to people who were involved in disasters etc.
She in no way governs the country.

It is a monarchy, and 'the queen' is far from a symbolic thing. There have been a lot of debates about wheter or not the royal family should only have ceremonial tasks, but yes, those are just debates. The royal family still has a role in the government and official tasks.

[[WS]Jacob]

The fake Prince Charles Twitter was like, "Mother, why are you looking so confused. Surely you know the meaning of the word 'abdicate'? #beatrix"

[Dutchy]

Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with the royal side having as much influence on the country's political structure as a trashman. The chauvinistic and moral effect however are priceless. As this country's foundations were build in a monarchist age, 200 years ago. It's not terrible to honour the origin of a nation's existence.

[Ratko Gavrilovic]

It is a monarchy, and 'the queen' is far from a symbolic thing. There have been a lot of debates about wheter or not the royal family should only have ceremonial tasks, but yes, those are just debates. The royal family still has a role in the government and official tasks.

The royal family had one task which was that they needed to approve aswell before a new law was added / changed. This function was however recently stripped away, leaving the family to be pretty much symbolic for 95%.

Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with the royal side having as much influence on the country's political structure as a trashman.

And:

[Salmonella]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy_of_the_Netherlands#The_monarch_and_the_government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy_of_the_Netherlands#Importance_and_position_within_Dutch_society

[Wolfe]

Leve de Koning, I guess :P

Fuck yes to the Argentinian queen, btw :P