For two hundred years kings and queens have reigned over the Netherlands. We have had a lot of Willems, as you can see:
Today our Queen Beatrix announced her retirement on April 30, 2013. She will step back after thirty three years, leaving the throne to her first-born son.
So finally a new king will step up to the throne – after 123 years of queens – King Willem-Alexander and his Queen Máxima.
Queen Beatrix celebrates her 75th birthday on January 31st. A very special date for me. Not because of the Queen, but because of my mother. Mom – exactly one year the Queen’s senior – will celebrate her 76th birthday this Thursday. And to me that is more special than any Royal House happening!
Figments of a DuTchess 
Goed van haar ,dat moest onze koning ook doen.Maar daar is hier geen sprake van..Dom hé.
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Hoe oud is jullie koning eigenlijk, Marylou? Ik heb werkelijk geen idee.
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I love your Royals Marion. Beatrice is always so normal…I see Willem has all girls. The Dutch royals always made me want to shake the English one and say “Look at these guys and take note.
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Hehehe, well, they ARE normal people after all, right? I thought the newest princess is rather ‘normal’ too? I don’t know much about royal stuff, but have see gorgeous pictures of the newly wedded.
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See what you have done? People all over the world are wishing your dear mom a Happy BirthDay!! And long live the King! And family.
May I request you write a post about what duties or obligations the King or Queen has?
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Haha, and I love it! Will show Mom this post and all the birthday wishes when I’m driving down there 😀
A post about the duties of the King or Queen in the Netherlands? I would have to investigate, of course, since my knowledge about royalty is meager 😉
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Would this be any help?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy_of_the_Netherlands
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Happy birthday to your Mom!
And I must say it is interesting that after all this time there is to be another king. There have been rather few of those, for some time.
After that, it looks as though it will be back to queens, though!
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The female genes run strong in our royal family, Col 😉
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I take it that Netherlands have also abandoned the idea of waiting for the first male, and only having the female by default?
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It is queens, queens and only queens. Plus one king, but that’s only because it would be too boring otherwise 😉
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Well, I agree, your dear mother is far more important! Very many happy returns to her. She is precious. Enjoy your day.
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Thanks so much, Nuvofelt 🙂
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The new king and queen seem so..’normal’!
Happy birthday to you mom in advance and wish you all a great day together 🙂
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That’s because they are, Madhu 😉
And thank you! Have called my Mom last Thursday, but can’t go to visit her tomorrow: I’ve caught a severe cold 😦
The good news is that I will drive south in two weeks and spend the whole day with my parents then 😀
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Dat wordt dubbel feest. Happy birthday 🙂
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Inderdaad een feestje zondag, Angel, dan rijden we naar het zuiden. En 30 april zal van alles op stapel staan vermoed ik 🙂
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You are so fortunate to have such a young mother! Rejoice every time you hear her speak your name…
Hope Holland had no hesitation over this change.
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The change of queen/king was to be expected. I don’t think there will be an uproar over this in our country 😉
And yes, I’m happy every time I talk to her on the phone, or get to visit my parents. They are the best!
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Congrats to your Mom… and may she have many many more…
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Indeed, Bulldog, she’s such a sweet and strong woman 🙂
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Congratulations with your mom!!
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Thanks in advance, Anne 🙂
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Congratulations with your mother 76th birthday! Make it a nice day and right you are: do not let your mothers’ birthday be overshadowed bij Queen Beatrix 75th birthday.
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Thanks, King Billy 😀 We will travel southwards this Sunday.
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