Keeping with recent tradition, former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicated the throne today in favor of her son, Willem-Alexander, who has now become the first Dutch king in more than a century. Though the position has little political power, the Royal Family enjoys broad popularity and symbolic significance. Tuesday, tens of thousands dressed in orange and gathered in Amsterdam's Dam Square next to the Royal Palace to view the accession of King Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands Welcomes a New King
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Newly-crowned Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima appear on the balcony of the Royal Palace with their children, from left: Catharina-Amalia, Ariane, and Alexia in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on April 30, 2013. #
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A man dressed in orange drinks on the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam, on April 29, 2013. The Netherlands was preparing for Queen's Day on April 30, which will also mark the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the investiture of her eldest son Willem-Alexander. #
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Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands signs an act of abdication next to her son Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife Crown Princess Maxima, during a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, on April 30, 2013. #
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Two men pose for a photo outside the Royal Palace in downtown Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Tuesday April 30, 2013. Around a million people are expected to descend on the Dutch capital for a huge street party to celebrate the first new Dutch monarch in 33 years. #
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A crowd gathers in Dam Square, waiting for King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix to appear on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, on April 30, 2013. #
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People, one of them holding a picture of Princess Beatrix, react as King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix sign the act of abdication outside the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, on April 30, 2013. #
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Former Queen, now Princess Beatrix, is joined by her grandchildren, from left: Catharina-Amalia, Alexia and Ariane at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, on April 30, 2013. #
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Front row, from left, Japan's Crown Princess Masako and Crown Prince Naruhito, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser al Misned of Qatar, Morocco's Princess Lalla Salma and Prince Albert of Monaco attend the inauguration ceremony in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, on April 30, 2013. #
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People celebrate on a boat in Amsterdam, on April 30, 2013. Around a million people are expected to descend on the Dutch capital for a huge street party to celebrate the first new Dutch monarch in 33 years. #
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A man wearing a t-shirt which reads "Alexander is een fokking Koning" (Alexander is a fucking King) walks with his girlfriend in the red light district in Amsterdam, on April 28, 2013. #
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Newly-crowned Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima appear on the balcony of the Royal Palace with their children, Catharina-Amalia, Ariane, and Alexia in Amsterdam, on April 30, 2013. #
AP Photo/Robin Utrecht
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