The Netherlands gets a new King on Queen's Day

[MrScorpio]

I miss Queen's Day in Holland. Always had a good time when I went there. Congrats to the new King.

AMSTERDAM — Willem-Alexander became the first Dutch king in more than a century Tuesday and pledged to use his ceremonial position as head of state to help steer his country through uncertain economic times.

The generational change in the House of Orange-Nassau gave the Netherlands a moment of celebration, pageantry and brief respite as this trading nation of nearly 17 million struggles through a lengthy recession brought on by the European credit crisis.

Visibly emotional, the much-loved Beatrix ended her 33-year reign as queen in a nationally televised signing ceremony as thousands of orange-clad people cheered outside. Millions more were expected to watch on television.

Just over four hours later, King Willem-Alexander, wearing a fur-trimmed ceremonial mantle, swore an oath of allegiance to his country and the constitution in the historic New Church.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/30/willem-alexander-coronation-dutch-king_n_3183212.html

[BlueCaliDem]

1. First king in over 300 years! Yay!

I'm dual citizen, Dutch and American {born Dutch through my father, born in Burbank, CA}.

I am very happy to see King Willem-Alexander take the throne. He'll be good king.

[MrScorpio]

2. My wife was born in Holland

I loved hanging out with my in-laws there.

[BlueCaliDem]

3. My husband was born in Arnhem, Gelderland, the Netherlands, and is a true Dutchman.

I'm Dutch-Indo. All three of my children are dual citizens, just like their Mama.

This is huge for us in our household. It's a wonderful day to have a king after 300 years of queens in our monarchy. Queen Beatrix was an exceptional and super-intelligent queen {she elected to keep Queen's Day on her mother's birthday rather than change it to her own} and I hope her son has learned well from his mother.

[MrScorpio]

4. My wife's aunt has a photo of her posing/w Queen Beatrix prominently displayed in their living room

So even Dutch royalty is with my six degrees of separation!

[War Horse]

5. Congrats to all Dutch DUers, from Norway

I guess like me you see the dichotomy of having a royal family in the year 2013, but also the way it helps keep a nation together

Enjoy your celebration

[2ndAmForComputers]

6. Mel Brooks sends a congratulations card.