Juliana, Queen of the Netherlands, 1948-1980 World War II On May 12, 1940, two days after the German occupation had started, Princess Juliana and her two daughters fled to England. After a month they went to Canada, but before they left England Princess Irene was christened at the chapel of Buckingham Palace. Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Bernhard stayed in London and travelled to visit the family in Ottawa, Canada, a few times during the war. From Canada, the Princess undertook several travels to Suriname and the Dutch Antilles. Shortly before Princess Juliana's third child Margriet was born on January 19, 1943, the Governor General of Canada, Alexander Cambridge, granted Royal Assent to a special law declaring Princess Juliana's rooms at the Ottawa Civic Hospital as extraterritorial so that the child would have exclusively Dutch, not dual, nationality. Had these arrangements not occurred, Princess Margriet would have been excluded from the line of succession. Soon after the war ended, Princess Juliana expressed her gratitude to Canada by sending the city of Ottawa 100,000 tulip bulbs.

In 1946, she donated another 20,500 bulbs, with the request that some of them be planted at the grounds of the Ottawa Civic Hospital. At the same time, she promised Ottawa an annual gift of tulips during her lifetime to show her lasting appreciation for Canada's war-time hospitality; Ottawa has hosted the Canadian Tulip Festival in celebration of this gift every year since. Although the Netherlands was liberated in May 1945, and Princess Juliana had already visited The Netherlands soon afterwards, she and her children did not officially return until August 2, 1945. During her first return, she helped in several aid projects for the Dutch people, and in the spring of 1946 she and her husband visited several countries that had helped the Netherlands during the German occupation. The couple's last child, Marijke Christina was born on February 18, 1947. Reign Princess Juliana acted as regent for her mother from October 14 to December 1, 1947, and from May 14 to August 30, 1948.

On September 4, 1948, Queen Wilhelmina abdicated in favor of her daughter, who was formally inaugurated as Queen Juliana at the New Church in Amsterdam two days later. Juliana's first major act as queen was to sign an act of state granting independence to Indonesia (formerly Dutch West Indies), which she did at Dam Palace in Amsterdam on December 27, 1949. On the night of January 31, 1953, the Netherlands was hit by the most destructive storm in more than five hundred years. Thirty breaches of dunes and dikes occurred and many towns were swept away by twelve-foot tidal waves. More than two thousand people drowned and tens of thousands were trapped by the floodwaters. Dressed in boots and an old coat, Queen Juliana waded through water and slopped through deep mud all over the devastated areas to deliver food and clothing to devastated areas. Other major events during her reign included creation of the Benelux customs union, Dutch accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization , and the signing of the Treaty of Rome as one of six founder members of what is now the European Union .

Although Queen Juliana was generally well liked by the Dutch citizenry, several events in her and her family's personal lives tested her relationship with her "subjects." The first began with the birth of Princess Marijke, who was born almost blind. In 1956, a friend of Prince Bernhard introduced the Queen to prayer-healer Greet Hofmans, who was subsequently hired to try and heal Marijke's eyes. Although Hofmans failed to cure the Princess, the Queen kept her on as an adviser and confidante, and even moved her into the palace. The increasing influence of Hofmans seriously affected the Queen's relationship with her husband, who did not share her faith in the "healer." Once the discord between the Queen and the Prince became public knowledge, the Dutch began to openly question the competency of the Queen.

Prince Bernhard eventually got Hofmans dismissed, and Queen Juliana was able to repair her image, thanks in large part to her habit of appearing in public dressed like an "ordinary" Dutch woman and preference for being addressed as "Mrs." instead of "Her Majesty." Another crisis erupted when her daughter Irene secretly converted to Roman Catholicism and, without government or family approval, on April 29, 1964 married Prince Carlos Hugo of Bourbon, a claimant to the Spanish throne and a leader in Spain's Carlist Party. With memories of the Dutch struggle for independence from Roman Catholic Spain and fascist German oppression still fresh in the minds of the Dutch people, the events leading to the marriage were played out in all the newspapers and a storm of hostility erupted against the monarchy for allowing it to happen. In fact, the matter was considered so serious that the queen's abdication became a real possibility. She survived, however, thanks to the underlying devotion she had earned over the years.

The controversy surrounding Irene's marriage had barely subsided when, in July 1965, the royal family announced the engagement of Princess Beatrix to Claus von Amsberg, a German diplomat who had been a member of the Nazi Wehrmacht and the Hitler Youth movement. This announcement led to demonstrations and rallies, and many Dutch began to question the value of having a monarchy. After attempting to have the marriage cancelled, Queen Juliana acquiesced and the marriage took place under a continued storm of protest. Despite the controversy, the people once again decided to forgive their Queen. The public's opinion of Princess Beatrix finally changed for the better in 1967, when she gave birth to Willem-Alexander, the first male heir to the throne in 116 years. Scandal rocked the royal family again in 1976, when it was revealed that Prince Bernhard had accepted a US$1.1 million bribe from U.S. aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Corporation to influence the Dutch government's purchase of fighter aircraft. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands ordered an inquiry into the affair, while Prince Bernhard refused to answer reporters' questions.

Rather than calling on the queen to abdicate, the Dutch people were this time fearful that their beloved Juliana might abdicate out of shame or because of a criminal prosecution conducted in her name against her husband. Queen Juliana chose to stay on the throne, and to stand by her husband. The controversy subsided after Prince Bernhard resigned his various high-profile positions as a lieutenant admiral, a general and an inspector general of the armed forces, as well as from his positions on the boards of many businesses, charities, the World Wildlife Fund, and other institutions. In return, the States-General agreed that there would be no criminal prosecution. On April 30, 1980, her 70th birthday, Queen Juliana followed her mother's example and abdicated in favor of her eldest daughter, who became Queen Beatrix. Juliana remained active in numerous charitable causes until well into her eighties, but by the 1990's she was beginning to show signs of dementia and her public appearances became less and less frequent.

On May 30, 1998, Princess Juliana appeared in public for the last time, at the wedding of her grandson Prince Maurits to Marilï¿½ne van den Broek. In a letter dated February 23, 1999, Princess Juliana revealed that she was no longer able to accept official invitations because of her old age. Afterwards, only a few photos of her were published, mainly by gossip magazines. In 2001, in an interview on the occasion of his 90th birthday, Prince Bernhard revealed that after a fall in which she broke her hip his wife's memory had become worse and that the last time she had been really well had been at the vacation they spent with their children and grandchildren in Africa on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary in 1997. Juliana died in her sleep on March 20, 2004, at Soestdijk Palace in Baarn from complications of pneumonia.

"Obituary, Queen Juliana of the Nethderlands The Guardian Princess Maxima Zorreguieta: The Argentine Woman To Become The First Latina Queen Of Holland | The Huffington Post Princess Maxima Zorreguieta: The Argentine Woman To Become The First Latina Queen Of Holland 04/22/2013 12:38 pm ET | Updated Jul 28, 2014 120 Paloma Corredor VOXXI On April 30, Princess Maxima Zorreguieta will be the first Argentinian to become a queen. The 75-year-old Beatrix of the Netherlands will publicly sign her abdication and pass the throne to her eldest son Willem-Alexander, husband of Maxima and father of her three daughters. The anticipation in the European country grows by the hour and “Maximamania” has just burst! The subjects residing in the country of tulips and bicycles just adore the spontaneous, bubbly blonde Princess who has won their hearts. It will be somehow a sad day for Princess Maxima though, as her family will not be present at the ceremony, as they were at her wedding.

It appears that Princess Maxima herself has made the decision, not wanting the past of her father, who served as minister during the dictatorship in Argentina, to cloud the image of the crown that is to belong to her and her lovely little family. Despite this, Princess Maxima and Willem-Alexander will be surrounded by the Dutch citizens and many European spectators who will make a date of viewing the royal palace in Amsterdam with their brand new monarchs. In the finest British style, the main streets of Holland are filled with merchants selling scarves, mugs, pillows and even dishes with the new king and queen’s faces printed on them. Are you a true monarchist but can’t travel to Amsterdam on April 30? No problem! You can purchase your own set online! What will Princess Maxima wear on her Coronation Day? ¡Hola! magazine reports that Prince Willem will wear a tuxedo with a white vest. A simple and elegant outfit that will contrast with the spectacular royal mantle of ermine fur he will be adorned with, the same one his mother, Queen Beatrix, wore at her coronation in 1980. But, what about Princess Maxima?

She will be the first Dutch queen consort since 1849. Rumors say she will choose a spectacular tiara and diamond jewelry, her favorite. She will probably choose a dress in a pastel color, given the solemnity of the event. Perhaps designed by Valentino, who already created her wedding dress. But we will certainly see the new queen wearing some of her favorite outfits for the celebrations before and after the ceremony. Princess Maxima loves bright colors like orange, red and fuchsia. She looks stunning in wonderfully carved jacket suits that she adorns with spectacular sunhats and headdresses created by designer Fabienne Delvigne. Princess Maxima is definitely one of the most attractive royals, thanks to her overwhelming smile, her Latino air of spontaneity and the way she carries herself; proud of herself and her curvy figure. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands—A popular, confident Latina Vanity Fair Spain magazine recently published an article about Princess Maxima in which her American friends remembered her as an intelligent, strong and seductive woman.

“No doubt Maxima will be a great queen, because she always got what she wanted,” said an old colleague from her years in New York, where she lived and worked before meeting Prince Willem-Alexander in Seville (Spain) in 1999, at the age of 28. Her old mate also contributed a story that defines Princess Maxima very well: “One night we went dancing at Spy Bar, which was very popular in the nineties. Upon arrival, we were told it was a private party for Armani. There was a long line and they would not let anyone in. Maxima began shaking her blond hair in front of the door man, telling him funny things. Minutes later, we were in.” That was Maxima. A woman who arrived to New York soon after her graduation and spent six months sleeping on a friend’s couch. “She must have sent about 60 resumes to various banks until she got a job,” her friend admitted. The official agenda of the new King and Queen of Holland The royal couple already has a full agenda of activities well after their coronation.

As reported by the Dutch Royal House, on May 23rd, Her Royal Highness Maxima will inaugurate the first hospital for breast cancer patients in the country. During the months of May and June, Maxima and William will visit each of the Dutch provinces to soak up the affection of their subjects. In the middle of their tour, the king and queen will pay a short visit to Germany, as part of a trade mission taking place in Angela Merkel’s country. Let’s see if the charming Latina queen manages to put a smile on the German chancellor’s usually stern face! She seems to brighten up everyone else’s visage! Dutch crowning: King Willem-Alexander becomes Europe's youngest monarch - Telegraph Netherlands Dutch crowning: King Willem-Alexander becomes Europe's youngest monarch King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has begun his reign by paying tribute to his mother Princess Beatrix who abdicated in his favour after 33 years as Queen.

10 things you never knew about Dutch Royal Family Guests at ceremony include Prince of Wales In an emotional investiture, the first Dutch king for 123 years addressed two thousand guests, including the Prince of Wales, and the country's legislators in Amsterdam's De Nieuwe Kerk church. Outlining his new role as monarch, King Willem-Alexander honoured his mother as the guardian of Dutch democracy and the country's constitution for the last three decades. "Wherever the path leads, your wisdom and your warmth I carry with me. Thank you for the many wonderful years in which we were allowed to have you as our queen," he said. Related Articles 10 things you never knew about the Dutch royal family 29 Apr 2013 "She stood for the values anchored in the constitution. Dear mother, you were queen in full knowledge of the duties you had you were also a wife and mother, and you were fully aware of your duties there too. You were a great support to us all." A general view of celebrations for the inauguration of King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands as Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicates on April 30, 2013 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Visibly moved, Princess Beatrix turned to her granddaughters, including the new heir to the throne, smothering her tears in family laughter over a private joke. The new king, Europe's youngest monarch, has pledged to be a 21st century royal head of state, even telling Dutch people that they do not have to call him "your majesty" unless they want to. "As king I want to encourage people to make the most of the opportunities they have. I will represent the kingdom with pride. I want to unite the Dutch, in times of happiness and in times of sadness," he said. Wearing an ermine fringed "royal mantle" and an orange sash, King Willem-Alexander's speech was the ceremonial highpoint of a day combining street celebrations with the legal niceties of the Dutch constitution. His Argentinian wife, Queen Maxima, 41 who is hugely popular as the glamorous face of the Dutch monarchy, was resplendent in a royal blue dress with a 655 diamond and platinum tiara. Following the new king's speech and oath Dutch MPs and senator stood up to swear allegiance to the king by saying"So help me God" or "I promise".

All but 16 of Holland's 225 members of the upper and lower houses of parliament took the oath in an investiture ceremony that eschews crowns and sceptres to focus on the constitutional role of the Dutch monarch. The swearing in ceremony, which lasted almost 20 minutes, was almost too much for the king's nine-year old daughter Catharina-Amalia, the Princess of Orange, the new heir to the Dutch throne. As a children's choir began to sing, she stifled a yawn. In a formal act of abdication earlier this morning, the Dutch queen became a princess handing over her throne to the Prince of Orange who is now King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands . "Today I make way for a new generation," said Queen Beatrix. Before signing the state documents of the "act of abdication" inside the royal palace in Amsterdam, Queen Beatrix smiled, winked and took her son's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze in front of the cameras. "I Queen Beatrix abdicate in favour of my son Willem-Alexander," said the legal act.

At that moment, as Queen Beatrix gave away her throne, a crowd of tens of thousands of Dutch people gathered on Dam Square burst into emotional applause, shouting "Thank you Bea". People, most of them wearing orange tee shirts, hats or plastic crowns, gather at the Dam Square in Amsterdam The cheering began again and bells rang out eight minutes later after the signing by all 10 members of the royal House of Orange-Nassau and state officals. To rapturous applause at 10.30 am, Princess Beatrix appeared on the palace balcony with King Willem-Alexander and his wife, Queen Maxima. "I am happy and grateful to introduce to you your new king, Willem-Alexander," she said. To more cheers, King Willem Alexander then turned to his mother Princess Beatrix. "Dear mother. You have given the kingdom 33 moving and inspired years, which we are intensely grateful for," he said. Facing back to the crowds, he shouted "Thank you". As the crowd shouted "long live the king", Princess Beatrix told her son, "maybe you should wave a bit" before fetching her granddaughters to the balcony for the national anthem.

Large crowds gather in front of the Royal Palace (R) on Dam Square in Amsterdam Willem-Alexander Is New King of Netherlands - The New York Times The New York Times Europe |A King Takes the Throne, and a Nation Celebrates Search Continue reading the main story Photo Willem-Alexander, the new king of the Netherlands, received a kiss from his mother, Beatrix, who abdicated on Tuesday. His wife, Maxima, looked on. Credit Jeroen Van Der Meyde/Dutch Royal House AMSTERDAM — To the cheers of tens of thousands of people crammed shoulder to shoulder outside the royal palace here, Willem-Alexander of the House of Orange-Nassau became the Netherlands ’ first king in 123 years on Tuesday as his mother, Queen Beatrix , ended a 33-year reign with the stroke of a pen, signing the act of abdication in an ornate chamber at the palace. Seated on a gilded chair and flanked by the Dutch cabinet, Beatrix, 75, became the third successive Dutch queen to abdicate, changing her title to princess as supporters celebrating the continuity of the monarchy thronged Dam Square outside the palace.

Many had gathered for hours, clad in orange, the royal color, to watch the brief, long-planned and relatively low-key event on large television screens. The day’s events, a mix of tightly choreographed official pageantry and boisterous street parties across Amsterdam, helped lift the gloom created by a slumping economy, unpopular austerity measures and growing public recognition that, as the new king noted in an afternoon address, “it now seems less self-evident that the next generation will be better off than the last.” Dressed in an orange suit, Bart Koops, an executive at a bed company and a fervent royalist, joined the throng of other revelers early on Tuesday. “Monarchy is what unites us and makes us Dutch,” Mr. Koops said. “This is a great day.” Photo Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, front, in hat, who abdicated the throne in favor of her son, Willem-Alexander, with her granddaughters during his investiture ceremony. Credit Michael Kooren/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images He added: “The monarchy is a point of stability and unity.

Politicians just fight each other.” In contrast to the British royal family, he said, Dutch royals are far less formal, and they are in tune with the open, easygoing spirit of the Netherlands. “Look at the countries that don’t have royalty,” he said. “They are missing something.” Continue reading the main story Beatrix announced in January that she would step down to make way for a younger generation. After signing the formal declaration of abdication shortly after 10 a.m., Beatrix, the new king and his Argentine-born wife emerged onto a flower-bedecked balcony to cheers from the crowd. Church bells rang out across the city. Advertisement In the early afternoon, the crowd in Dam Square roared as King Willem-Alexander, trailing a long fur-trimmed cape, and his wife, Queen Maxima, entered the 15th-century Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church, next to the royal palace for the investiture ceremony. Unlike royal rituals in England, there was no religious blessing or coronation.

Paying tribute to his mother and promising to continue her course, Willem-Alexander, 46, stressed the need to respect diversity and promised that “however varied our backgrounds, in the Kingdom of the Netherlands everyone can have a voice and can contribute to society on an equal footing.” Photo Dancing in Amsterdam, where throngs of people, most dressed in orange, celebrated the monarchy. The day was a mix of tightly choreographed pageantry and boisterous street parties. Credit Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press He also acknowledged his subjects’ growing economic woes as the country’s once robust economy struggles with its third recession since 2009. Populist politicians have exploited this pain to press demands that the Netherlands halt immigration and crack down on welfare payments to foreign-born residents. “I succeed to the throne at a time when many in the kingdom feel vulnerable and uncertain,” he said, according to an official translation of his remarks. “Vulnerable in their jobs or their health. Uncertain about their income or the environment in which they live.” Before the swearing-in ceremony, the former queen clutched the hands of her son and daughter-in-law before the national anthem was played.

“Some moments ago I abdicated from the throne,” Beatrix said, seeming to struggle with tears. “I am happy and thankful to present to you your new king.” Video The Netherlands’ New King Willem-Alexander of the House of Orange-Nassau became the Netherlands’ first king in 123 years on Tuesday as his mother, Queen Beatrix, ended a 33-year reign. Publish Date April 30, 2013. by Pool photo by Peter Dejong. Watch in Times Video » embed Some of the cheers for the royal trio reflected the popularity of the new queen, who had a career as an investment banker before marrying Willem-Alexander in 2002, adding a dash of glamour and romance to an otherwise low-key and at times dowdy royal family. More recently, Willem-Alexander has recovered from a scandal over his purchase of a holiday villa in Mozambique, which he sold last year. He is now widely seen as a sober-minded and responsible professional with a knack for connecting with ordinary people, Dutch experts said, but is also regarded as far less cerebral than his mother. He has mostly kept his views on society and politics to himself.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story The new king is also Europe’s youngest monarch, and as such he has vowed that he and Queen Maxima, 41, will not be “protocol fetishists.” Dutch news media reported that the queen will attend the opening of a conference this summer on same-sex marriage , which has been legal here for years. On Tuesday, an anti-monarchist, Hans Maessen, stood in Dam Square waving a sign saying, “No Monarchy, More Democracy.” Instead of sporting orange like those around him, he wore a white shirt that said, “I Don’t Want Him.” He conceded that the balance of opinion was running against his cause but said even republicans liked a good party. Opinion polls, however, show overwhelming support for the institution. “Monarchy is a big part of our sense of ourselves,” said Bas Heijne, a prominent Dutch commentator. “The Dutch don’t want to do away with the monarchy. If you are rational you say: ‘This is nonsense. We should get rid of it.’ But the anti-monarchists underestimate the way the monarchy is part of Dutch life, of being Dutch.” Andrew Higgins reported from Amsterdam, and Alan Cowell from London.

A version of this article appears in print on May 1, 2013, on Page A4 of the New York edition with the headline: A King Takes the Throne, and a Nation Celebrates. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe Orange succession: Queen Beatrix to Prince Willem-Alexander - CNN.com Orange succession: Queen Beatrix to Prince Willem-Alexander By Updated 7:26 AM ET, Tue January 29, 2013 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. JUST WATCHED Queen Beatrix to give up Dutch throne 01:17 Story highlights Queen Beatrix will end 33 years on the Dutch throne on April 30 She will be succeeded by Prince Willem-Alexander. He has earned a history degree and served in the Dutch Royal Navy His daughter Catharina-Amalia will be first in line when he becomes king Queen Beatrix spent 33 years on the throne and will be succeeded by her son, the Prince of Orange, Prince Willem-Alexander.

She ascended to the throne when Queen Juliana abdicated on her 71st birthday, on April 30, 1980. Beatrix announced Monday that she will step aside on April 30 . Beatrix was born January 31, 1938, and when World War II reached Holland the family fled to London. Juliana, Beatrix and her sister Irene then moved to Ottawa, Canada. Beatrix married German diplomat Claus von Amsberg on March 10, 1966, in Amsterdam. They have three sons, Willem-Alexander, born in 1967, Friso, born in 1968, and Constantijn, born in 1969. Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – Newly wed Beatrix and Prince Claus in Amsterdam on March 10, 1966. Prince Claus died aged 76 on October 6, 2002 at a hospital in Amsterdam.

Hide Caption Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – Prince Claus holds his son Willem-Alexander in 1968. Hide Caption 2 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – Beatrix is pictured in 1979 at Drakensteyn Castle, the year before she became queen. Hide Caption 3 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – Beatrix, Friso and Mabel pose at the Palace Huis ten Bosch with the couple's new baby, countess Luana, on April 24, 2005. Hide Caption 4 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – Beatrix walks with Prince Johan Friso's wife Princess Mabel as they arrive on February 24, 2012, at the University Hospital in Innsbruck, to visit Prince Johan Friso, who was seriously injured in an avalanche while skiing.

Hide Caption 5 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – Willem-Alexander (right) talks to soldiers during a visit to Gilze Rijen airbase on November 13, 2012. Hide Caption 6 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – Willem-Alexander and Maxima pose with their daughters as the Dutch royal family celebrates Christmas 2012 in Villa la Angostura, Argentina. Hide Caption 7 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – Princesses Alexia, Catharina-Amalia and Ariane pose for Christmas celebrations in 2012. Hide Caption 8 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – Willem-Alexander, Maxima, Beatrix, Alexia, Amalia and Ariane appear at the annual winter photocall on February 18, 2013 in Lech, Austria.

Hide Caption 9 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – Queen Beatrix attends the 50th anniversary celebrations of the European School, Bergen on March 12, 2013. Hide Caption 10 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – Willem-Alexander, Beatrix and Maxima arrive for the 125th anniversary of the Concertgebouw concert hall and orchestra in Amsterdam on April 10, 2013. Hide Caption 11 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – Orange cows are placed on a traffic island in Wassenaar, the hometown of Willem-Alexander and Maxima, on April 17. Hide Caption 12 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – A crown is hung in the center of Amsterdam on April 23, 2013 ahead of Beatrix's abdication.

Hide Caption 13 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – An employee removes a portrait of Beatrix in a Rotterdam courtroom on April 26, ahead of her abdication. Hide Caption 14 of 15 Photos: The Dutch royal family in photos The Dutch royal family in photos – An aerial view shows Drakensteyn Castle and its 20-hectare (49 acre) grounds, where Beatrix will live after her abdication. Beatrix bought the castle in 1959 and moved in four years later, continuing to live there after marrying her husband Prince Claus in 1966.

Hide Caption Abdicating Dutch queen was a wartime Ottawa schoolgirl - World - CBC News Abdicating Dutch queen was a wartime Ottawa schoolgirl Queen Beatrix abdicates Tuesday in favour of her son, Willem-Alexander By Janet Davison , CBC News Posted: Apr 29, 2013 5:18 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 30, 2013 10:03 AM ET Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.) When the future Dutch Queen Beatrix and her family returned to the Netherlands after their Second World War sojourn in Ottawa, the young princess discovered mealtimes just weren't what she was used to. For one thing, there was no ice cream. "For the young children, going back to the Netherlands, which of course was something the adults longed for, was a bit of shock," says Carolyn Harris, a Toronto-based royal historian and blogger. Dutch Princess Juliana holds Princess Margriet in March 1943 in Ottawa, flanked by her daughters Princess Irene, left, Princess Beatrix, and her husband, Prince Bernhard.

(Associated Press) "There was quite an abundance of food in Canada, whereas for the little girls, when they went back to the Netherlands, they noticed that ice cream, for instance, wasn't available as it was there," because of Europe's post-war food shortages. Ice cream had been just one small feature of a royal life lived with a certain degree of normalcy and anonymity during the royal family's five-year stay in Ottawa. It was also a period that ultimately forged close ties between Canada and a country that will see its queen — that same Beatrix — abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, tomorrow. "There's a long-standing relationship between Canada and the house of Orange-Nassau," says Harris, who notes that Princess Margriet, Queen Beatrix's younger sister, is a "real link between the Netherlands and Canada." Beatrix came to Ottawa in 1940 with her mother, Crown Princess Juliana, and her sister Irene. Her sister Margriet was born in 1943 in Ottawa Civic Hospital. A federal proclamation declared the maternity ward extraterritorial, ensuring that the new princess would only be a Dutch — and not also a Canadian — citizen.

But that has not stopped Margriet from visiting Canada many times over the years and receiving an honorary doctorate from McMaster University in Hamilton last year. Thousands of tulips The gratitude the Dutch royal family felt for its time in Ottawa — coupled with the thanks they felt for the role of Canadian Forces in the liberation of the Netherlands — also spawned one of the city's higher-profile and more colourful events: the annual Tulip Festival. After the royal family's return to the Netherlands, Juliana's mother, Queen Wilhelmina, gave Canada 100,000 tulip bulbs. The gift has become an annual one, and the inspiration for the festival that was launched six decades ago. Tulips bloom on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 1, 2009, on the first day of that year's Canadian Tulip Festival. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press) For Beatrix and her sisters, the time in Canada — much of it spent in Stornoway, now the residence of the leader of the Official Opposition — was a chance, relatively speaking, to live a normal life.

"There was a certain degree of anonymity for the children in Canada that they didn’t have in the Netherlands where the House of Orange-Nassau really symbolized the Dutch resistance and Dutch independence," says Harris. "When Princess Juliana and her daughters left for Canada, Juliana made it clear that her daughters would be seen in public and … that they would be living informally." Read about this year's Tulip Festival Beatrix went to elementary school in Rockcliffe Park. "One of my friends … was in her class and remembers that she was known as Trixie Orange," says Michiel Horn, a professor emeritus of history at Toronto's York University, who was born in the Netherlands. Horn says Juliana, who never took very well to the kind of scrutiny that comes with being part of a royal family, particularly in its homeland, "really appreciated" her time in Ottawa.

'As near to being normal' "Their life was as near to being normal as it could be given that they were out of their own country and given that of course Juliana was heir to the Dutch throne." Juliana was queen from 1948 until 1980 when she abdicated, on her 71st birthday, passing the throne to Beatrix. That throne will now be handed to her son on Tuesday, giving the Netherlands its first king in more than a century. Princess Margriet of the Netherlands is presented with a bouquet of tulips by Canadian veteran Tom Rappel as she arrives at the Perley Veterans Health Centre in Ottawa on May 12, 2010. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press) Beatrix will be the third Dutch queen in succession to abdicate, following her grandmother and mother, in 1948 and 1980 respectively. "In the Netherlands, it's become an established tradition and this allows the new monarch to have transition time to grow into the new role and still be advised by the former monarch," says Harris.

"Unlike in the United Kingdom and Canada, for instance, where the abdication of Edward the Eighth was a destabilizing event that appeared to shake the foundations of the monarchy, in the Netherlands, royal abdication is expected and it's a very smooth transition of power from one reign to the next." For some Canadians of Dutch heritage — the Dutch Embassy says one million persons of Dutch origin reside in Canada — the abdication was to be expected. "I figured it would happen sooner than later," says Adri Degroot, a director of Club The Netherlands in St. Catharines, Ont. "She was getting older, too." 'Mother for the country' Degroot says Beatrix "seemed like a mother for the country," but considers that Willhem-Alexander will bring "a new vision to the country. He should be good." Queen Beatrix, centre, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife, Princess Maxima, pose for photographers in Amsterdam on April 10, 2013. (Peter Dejong/Associated Press) Horn isn't predicting what kind of king Willem-Alexander will be.

But he does note that there was some considerable public commotion when he married because his Argentine wife was the daughter of a man who was a minister in her native country's dictatorship. But Maxima "seems to have done very well," says Horn. "Her father's had the good sense not to intrude himself onto the Dutch scene." In fact, says Harris, Maxima's parents won't be at the ceremonies on Tuesday. Horn considers that Beatrix's reign was "competent and quite normal," without the kind of controversy that erupted over her mother Juliana's involvement with a faith healer in the mid-1950s as she sought a cure for her daughter Christina's eye problems. Beatrix "is widely loved even with people who have misgivings about the monarchy as an instiution," says Horn. "Beatrix, in so far as I am able to judge, has been a perfect constitutional monarch." Welcome to retirement From Horn's perspective, Beatrix's departure from the throne is more of a retirement, and it's a move he sees holding much virtue.

"I think the present situation in England, where Charles has to hang in there while his mother carries on as best she can —well, I know why it happens, but I must say that in this respect I think that the Dutch royal house has it right." It also does it differently — at least when it comes to how the actual throne passes hands. Harris says the ceremonies installing Crown Prince Willem-Alexander on Tuesday will be very different from how the House of Windsor puts a new monarch on the throne in England. Regalia that goes with the position will be on display, but no crown will be placed on Willem-Alexander's head. There will be a church setting, and a reciprocal oath between the new king and members of parliament. Sandra Terpstra, left, and Linda Clewits pose with trays of cakes made for Queen's Day, a national holiday and the day of the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the crowning of the new king, at a pastry shop in Amsterdam on April 23, 2013.

(Peter Dejong/Associated Press) "It's definitely a more elaborate ceremony than in Spain, for instance, where [King] Juan Carlos simply went to parliament and was sworn in there," says Harris. "Because the coronation of Elizabeth the Second is so iconic— it was shown on television around the world — often there's an assumption that all monarchs receive a coronation of that kind, and it's not recent practice among the continental monarchies." Willhem-Alexander will also want a calmer arrival to the throne than his mother experienced in 1980. "Hopefully the proceedings will be more peaceful than they were when Beatrix came to the throne and there was some rioting in Amsterdam about the lack of affordable housing," says Harris.

Queen Maxima Charms Nation After Husband King Willem-Alexander's Dutch Inauguration (PHOTOS) | The Huffington Post Queen Maxima Charms Nation After Husband King Willem-Alexander's Dutch Inauguration (PHOTOS) 04/30/2013 08:47 am ET | Updated Apr 30, 2013 240 Rebecca Adams Voices Staff Writer, The Huffington Post Say hello to the new queen of the Netherlands! Princess Maxima became queen today in an inauguration that gave the Dutch people a new monarch. After 33 years on the throne, Queen Beatrix has abdicated , effectively assuming the title of princess and ceding the top slot to her 46-year-old son, King Willem-Alexander (Maxima's husband). The new king and queen's eldest daughter, Catharina-Amalia, became Princess of Orange and first in line to the throne. So what does one wear to become queen? In Maxima's case, a pale, rose-colored ensemble featuring an oversized bow on one shoulder by Belgium designer Natan -- a typical example of the Argentinian-born royal's flamboyant yet elegant style .

But the 41-year-old's not all beauty and no brains. Her Majesty has a background in economics , working for Deutsche Bank in New York before becoming a royal and scoring a position as UN Secretary-General's special advocate for inclusive finance during her time as princess. Maxima also has quite the charming reputation. "She is exotic, she has passion and sparkle and flamboyance and she doesn't try to be distant like Beatrix," Dutch historian Han van Bree told BBC . "We love her for that; people can feel the authenticity." Crowds decked out in orange (naturally -- this is the House of Orange-Nassau ) gathered in Dam Square to greet their new king and queen consort as they waved from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. So without further ado, check out Queen Maxima during today's festivities and e-greet her yourself, if you will. PHOTOS: She really does have style fit for a queen: Queen Maxima's Most Memorable Looks Queen Maxima's Most Memorable Looks 1

Question: Who became Queen of the Netherlands in 1980?
Answer: Beatrix