Willem-Alexander has become Europe's youngest monarch and his country's first king in 120 years after his mother Beatrix abdicated. Yesterday, an estimated 25,000 well-wishers cheered outside the Royal Palace in Amsterdam as the abdication and automatic succession were broadcast live. The crowd gathered in Dam Square from early in the day to see the new king and his Argentine-born wife, Queen Maxima, as they stepped out onto the balcony of the Royal Palace. Beatrix shed a tear as she presented her son. Wearing a sober purple dress, she signed the abdication document in front of Willem-Alexander, Maxima and the Dutch cabinet.
"Today, I make way for a new generation," said Beatrix, who now takes the title of Princess. "Some moments ago I abdicated from the throne. I am happy and thankful to present to you your new king."
Willem-Alexander, a 46-year-old water management specialist, is expected to bring a less formal touch to the monarchy together with Maxima, a popular former investment banker.
April 30, or Queen's Day, is always a day for partying in the Netherlands. As for Patty Brard, she organized a garage sale on that special day. The profits will be donated to a charity. Last year, the all-around entertainer did the same when she sold her Luv' wardrobe (see news posted on May 1st 2012).
The diva also appeared on RTL 4's morning show "Koffietijd" beside Pop singer Jamai and Magician Hans Kazan. The program aired live from the Museumplein (Museum Square) in Amsterdam. Miss Brard promoted her clothes sale and expressed her point of view on the Royal family. She wished that the Willem-Alexander's reign would be marked by "the good old fashioned Dutch conviviality".
To watch Koffietijd, click here
Loretta Schrijver, Quinty Trustfull, Patty Brard and Jamai on "Koffietijd"
Finally, the "Koningslied" was performed live from Ahoy Rotterdam by the Metropole Orchestra and the "crème de la crème" of Dutch pop music (Glennis Grace, Ruth Jacott Marco Borsato, Do, Paul de Leeuw and many others). The Royal couple and their children watched the performance on a big screen at the EYE Film Institute in Amsterdam. Despite controversy, the song is currently #1 on Holland's Single Top 100 and was supported by José Hoebee and Patty (see news posted on April 25th 2013).
Source: NOS, Google News, Patty Brard Facebook and Twitter accounts, RTL Nieuws, BBC News, De Telegraaf....
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