Monday, January 28, 2013

Breaking News! Queen Beatrix abdicates

Queen Beatrix announced tonight that she will abdicate in favor of her eldest son, Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, on April 30.   This is the same date that Queen Juliana abdicated in favor of her eldest daughter, Beatrix.

The late Queen Juliana was born on April 30, 1909.    Willem-Alexander's eldest daughter, Catharina Amalia, will become the Princess of Orange.

The current line of succession:  Willem-Alexander,  Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia, Princess Ariane, Prince Constantijn, Countess Eloise, Count Claus-Casimir, Countess Leonore,  Princess Margriet, Prince Maurits and Prince Bernhard.

When Willem-Alexander succeeds, the new line of succession will be:  Amalia, as Princess of Orange, Princess Alexia, Princess Ariane,  Prince Constantijn, Countess Eloise, Count Claus-Casimir, Countess Leonore and Princess Margriet.   Margriet's two sons cease to be dynasts because of their relationship to the new sovereign. 

Constantijn's three children will remain in line to the throne until the accession of their cousin, Amalia (unless they marry without permission) but they will no longer be members of the Royal House after April 30.

2 comments:

Maora JFB said...

I'm a French reader and I don't quite understand the reason why Princess Margriet's sons aren't in the line of succession anymore : "because of their relationship to the new sovereigh".

Can you explain a little ? Thank

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

Succession to the Dutch throne is based on relationship to the sovereign.

http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/globale-paginas/taalrubrieken/english/monarchy/succession-to-the-throne/

Princess Margriet was granted a special right to remain in line for her entire life. She will also remain a member of the Royal House.

This type of succession also applies in Norway.