Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicated yesterday, which was an expected move as in recent times, it has become a tradition in the Dutch kingdom to abdicate rather than rule until death. Willem-Alexander becomes the first king in over 100 years. The Netherlands has been ruled by Queens since 1890 when Queen Wilhelmina came to the throne at the age of ten, with her mother, Queen Emma, acting as regent until Wilhelmina came of age. It is expected that the coronation ceremony will take place later this year. Below is the speech the new King gave.
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| The abdication document, signed by Queen Beatrix and Prince Willem-Alexander. Beatrix is now to be styled as "Princess Beatrix," just like her mother, the former Queen Juliana, was. |
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| Princess Catharina-Amalia (now heir to the Dutch throne), Princess Beatrix, Princess Ariana, and Princess Alexia. |
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| The Crown of the Netherlands, which was not used in the abdication ceremony. |
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| New King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima go outside to greet their kingdom. |
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| Willem-Alexander is sworn in as King. Maxima wore a beautiful sapphire and diamond tiara with a blue dress. |
Speech by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander on the occasion of his investiture
30 April 2013, Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam
Members of the States General,
Today
I stand before this joint session of Parliament to be sworn in and
invested as your new King. You have gathered here in the nation's
capital for this purpose as the elected representatives of the people.
This symbolises our constitutional bonds.
Over the
course of two centuries, the Dutch monarchy has become inextricably
linked with our parliamentary democracy. This investiture and the oath I
am about to take confirm this connection, which is enshrined in the
Charter for the Kingdom and the Constitution.
Democracy
is based on mutual trust. The people's trust in the government - one
that respects the law and offers its citizens prospects for the future.
But also the government's trust in the people - citizens who feel a
shared responsibility for the public interest and are willing to stand
up for one another. All holders of public office, whether they are
elected, appointed or designated, must contribute to that trust. That is
how democracy is maintained.
In her final Christmas
address as Queen, my mother said, 'Achieving mutual trust is an ongoing
challenge, both in the big things and the small.' For 33 years, she gave
her trust, and repaid the trust placed in her. This provided the basis
for her authority. She stood for the values enshrined in the
Constitution. Values to which she swore to remain faithful on 30 April
1980. Values to which she gave expression whenever she felt it
necessary. After all, the fact that the monarch has no political
responsibility does not mean that he or she bears no responsibility at
all. That would render meaningless the oath I am about to take in this
joint session of the States General.
My dear Mother,
As
Queen you were fully conscious of the responsibilities attached to your
position. You were utterly dedicated to the duties of your office. But
you were also a daughter, a wife, a mother and head of the family. And
you have always sought to do full justice to each of those
responsibilities. Sometimes you felt torn, but you combined your many
duties with great inspiration. You never refused a request for help.
Even in times of personal sorrow you supported us all in the most loving
and dependable manner.
With the help of my father, you
developed your own style as Queen. You never chose the easy path of
fleeting popularity. You navigated stormy waters, charting a sure and
steady course in the knowledge that you were part of a long tradition.
Now,
I follow in your footsteps. And I have a clear picture of my duties. No
one knows what the future may hold. But wherever my path leads, and
however long it may be, I will always carry with me your warmth and your
wisdom.
I know that I speak for many in the
Netherlands and in the Caribbean parts of our Kingdom when I say: thank
you for all the wonderful years in which you served as our Queen.
Each
monarch fulfils his duties in his own fashion. He is a different person
from his predecessor, and he is of a different time. The monarchy is
not a static institution. Within the bounds of our constitutional rules
it has always managed to adapt to changing circumstances. The States
General and the ministers have always given the monarch the necessary
scope.
At the same time, the monarchy is a symbol of
continuity and unity. It is a direct link with our constitutional past.
It is a historical tapestry, which together we are still weaving today.
The basis for the values we share can be found in our history. One of
those values is the monarch's role as servant of the people. The King
performs the duties of his office in the service of the community. This
deeply rooted principle was laid down by the States General as early as
1581, in the Act of Abjuration, the birth certificate of what would
eventually become the Netherlands.
I succeed to the
throne at a time when many in the Kingdom feel vulnerable and uncertain.
Vulnerable in their jobs or their health. Uncertain about their income
or the environment in which they live. It now seems less self-evident
that the next generation will be better off than the last.
As
individuals, we seem to have little influence over the events that
shape our lives. Therefore our power lies not in isolating ourselves but
in working together. As families and as friends. As residents of a
street or neighbourhood. As citizens of our Kingdom. And as inhabitants
of an Earth confronted with countless challenges that can only be met by
working together at international level.
Unityanddiversity.
Individualityandadaptability. An appreciation of traditionanda healthy
curiosity about what the future will bring: these are the qualities
which over the centuries have made us who we are today.
Our
need to explore frontiers and set new boundaries has taken us a long
way. We have five remarkable Dutch individuals here who are symbols of
that. Today they fulfil a traditional role,
* but they are also living proof of what we are capable of achieving.
Behind
them stand hundreds of thousands of others who have each distinguished
themselves in their own way. Their efforts are invaluable, too. The hope
of our country rests in the combined power of all these people with all
their talents, big and small. For centuries, our greatest strengths
have been our inventiveness, our diligence and our openness. With such
qualities, we have a great deal to offer the world.
As
King, I want to encourage people to make active use of their
opportunities. However great our diversity, however different our
beliefs or dreams, and however varied our backgrounds, in the Kingdom of
the Netherlands everyone can have a voice and can contribute to society
on an equal footing.
I will take pride in representing
the Kingdom, and in helping to uncover new opportunities. I want to
establish ties, make connections and exemplify what unites us, the Dutch
people, and not only in times of great joy or deep sorrow. Thus, as
King, I can strengthen the bond of mutual trust between the people and
their government, maintain our democracy and serve the public interest.
I
accept this office with gratitude. I am grateful for the upbringing my
parents gave me, and for the freedom I have been given to prepare for
this role. Many people have helped show me the way, both in their words
and in their deeds, and I would like to thank them all.
Successive
governments, with the support of the States General, have given me the
opportunity to play a role in various fields and so to undertake many
activities both in and on behalf of the Netherlands. This work has given
me a sense of what I can contribute in my position. It has also allowed
me to gain a deep insight into issues, such as responsible water
management, which are fundamental to our country.
My
experiences at home and abroad have made me the person I am. I can say
with confidence, both to myself and to the world: I accept this office
with full conviction. And in doing so, I acknowledge how deeply happy I
am to have the support of my wife, Máxima. She is conscious of the
personal constraints her position sometimes entails. She has embraced
our country and become a Dutchwoman among the Dutch people. She stands
ready to apply the full range of her abilities in the service of my
reign and the Kingdom at large.
Members of the States General,
Today,
we stand before one another to affirm our mutual responsibilities and
obligations. The Charter for the Kingdom and the Constitution are our
common foundation. Through good times and bad, let us build on that
foundation in the full confidence that together we can face the future
with our heads held high.
With that conviction, I aim to fulfil my duties as King with all the strength I am granted.
I
swear to the peoples of the Kingdom that I shall constantly preserve
and uphold the Charter for the Kingdom and the Constitution.
I
swear that I shall defend and preserve the independence and the
territory of the Kingdom to the best of My ability; that I shall protect
the freedoms and rights of all its citizens and residents, and shall
employ all means placed at My disposal by the law to support and promote
the Kingdom's welfare, as is incumbent upon a good and faithful King.
So help Me God!
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