Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has signed the official act of abdication at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, making her son Willem-Alexander the first King of the nation in 120 years. Beatrix abdicated after a 33 year reign.
Willem-Alexander is New Dutch King
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Princess Beatrix of Netherlands (C), her son, Dutch King Willem-Alexander (L) and his wife Queen Maxima wave to the crowd from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, April 30, 2013. The Netherlands is celebrating Queen's Day, which will also mark the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the investiture of her eldest son Willem-Alexander.
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A crowd gathered in Dam Square to watch as King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix sign the act of abdication in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Dutch King Willem-Alexander kisses his mother Princess Beatrix as Queen Maxima looks on from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
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Dutch King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima leave Nieuwe Kerk church after the religious crowning ceremony in Amsterdam.
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People celebrate the new Dutch King Willem-Alexander who succeeds his mother Queen Beatrix, in Amsterdam's Dam Square, the Netherlands.
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Netherlands Princess Beatrix follows the granddaughters Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia (C) Princess Alexia (L) and Princess Ariane on their way out from the Nieuwe Kerk church in Amsterdam after the religious crowning cerminony.
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Dutch King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima, center, sing hymns at the Nieuwe Kerk or New Church in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, prior to the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander.
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A woman celebrates the new Dutch King Willem-Alexander who succeeds his mother Queen Beatrix, in Amsterdam's Dam Square.
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The Netherlandss globus cruciger is put on place before the religious ceremony at the Nieuwe Kerk church in Amsterdam. The Netherlands is celebrating Queen's Day, which also marks the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the investiture of her eldest son Willem-Alexander.
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General view of the religious crowning ceremony at the Nieuwe Kerk church in Amsterdam.
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Queen Beatrix (L) of the Netherlands passes the act of abdication to her son Crown Prince Willem-Alexander next to his wife Crown Princess Maxima (R) during a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.