Breaking: Dutch Queen Beatrix to abdicate tonight?

[Insula Dei]

It's a sad reflection on the state of Holland that there probably won't be any smoke bombs on the day of the coronation, like there were in 1980 or when Beatrix married Claus.

Why exactly is it sad?

You could hear the crowd shouting in the Nieuwe Kerk while Beatrix took the oath. ('Geen Woning, Geen Kroning', 'No Houses, No Coronation'). That's what the Netherlands were all about back then. Or Juliana scarcely getting her voice over the rumour of the crowd when she announced that she had 'resigned the crown',...

[Simfan34]

It's a sad reflection on the state of Holland that there probably won't be any smoke bombs on the day of the coronation, like there were in 1980 or when Beatrix married Claus.

Why exactly is it sad?

You could hear the crowd shouting in the Nieuwe Kerk while Beatrix took the oath. ('Geen Woning, Geen Kroning', 'No Houses, No Coronation'). That's what the Netherlands were all about back then. Or Juliana scarcely getting her voice over the rumour of the crowd when she announced that she had 'resigned the crown',...

You're disgusting.

[Antonio the Sixth]

It's a sad reflection on the state of Holland that there probably won't be any smoke bombs on the day of the coronation, like there were in 1980 or when Beatrix married Claus.

Why exactly is it sad?

You could hear the crowd shouting in the Nieuwe Kerk while Beatrix took the oath. ('Geen Woning, Geen Kroning', 'No Houses, No Coronation'). That's what the Netherlands were all about back then. Or Juliana scarcely getting her voice over the rumour of the crowd when she announced that she had 'resigned the crown',...

Yeah, I've long lost hopes about republican movements in monarchic countries...

[Earthling]

With more than 80% of the people supporting a monarchy its hard to see the Netherlands turning into a republic soon. I rather see a elected President ruling this country, but I know only small minority wants this.

[freek]

With more than 80% of the people supporting a monarchy its hard to see the Netherlands turning into a republic soon. I rather see a elected President ruling this country, but I know only small minority wants this.

Most of the 80% are pragmatic monarchists, I guess. The Queen did well, why bother to change?

[Simfan34]

What I don't are people who want to replace monarchies with dull figureheads. Maybe the commonwealth realms I can understand- they have Governor Generals- but I really don't see the allure of having some dull old man who probably repuluses half the country as your head of state. Might as well have someone interesting.

Also, a figurehead president would probably be indirectly elected.

[Earthling]

With more than 80% of the people supporting a monarchy its hard to see the Netherlands turning into a republic soon. I rather see a elected President ruling this country, but I know only small minority wants this.

Most of the 80% are pragmatic monarchists, I guess. The Queen did well, why bother to change?

Because she has no accountability but also no voice. We don't know what she does and or say behind the scenes, but it is well known that she pressured politician to do what she wanted. She has real political influence and uses that influence to get her way. That is fine with an elected leader, but nobody ever voted for her. Or her son.

That is my problem.

Offcourse, a presidential system can have its problems as well. After all, no system is perfect. But a president is the elected representative of the people, a monarch is an anointed one.

[Antonio the Sixth]

What I don't are people who want to replace monarchies with dull figureheads. Maybe the commonwealth realms I can understand- they have Governor Generals- but I really don't see the allure of having some dull old man who probably repuluses half the country as your head of state. Might as well have someone interesting.

Also, a figurehead president would probably be indirectly elected.

Don't see any problem with that.

[MaxQue]

What I don't are people who want to replace monarchies with dull figureheads. Maybe the commonwealth realms I can understand- they have Governor Generals- but I really don't see the allure of having some dull old man who probably repuluses half the country as your head of state. Might as well have someone interesting.

Also, a figurehead president would probably be indirectly elected.

Don't see any problem with that.

Oh, surely we can talk of the former Israeli president, then...

[Antonio the Sixth]

What I don't are people who want to replace monarchies with dull figureheads. Maybe the commonwealth realms I can understand- they have Governor Generals- but I really don't see the allure of having some dull old man who probably repuluses half the country as your head of state. Might as well have someone interesting.

Also, a figurehead president would probably be indirectly elected.

Don't see any problem with that.

Oh, surely we can talk of the former Israeli president, then...

And then we have the current one, who's also a FF.

[freek]

*kick

The abdication of Queen Beatrix and inauguration of King Willem-Alexander is next Tuesday.

[freek]

[Franzl]

Lang leve de koning en de koningin!

[RogueBeaver]

Lang leve de koning en de koningin!

What he said.

[afleitch]

Lang leve de koning en de koningin!

Now that's something even I can understand (My conversational Dutch is limited to base phrases )

It was a wonderful ceremony. Modern with class. Beatrix looked genuinely relieved and happy.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Very happy for the Dutch Royal Family; the (former) Queen was very proud of her son clearly. I hope she enjoys her retirement.

[RodPresident]

Who's most popular? Queen Máxima or Princess Mabel?

[Lincoln Republican]

Very happy for the Dutch Royal Family; the (former) Queen was very proud of her son clearly. I hope she enjoys her retirement.

Would that Liz would follow suit.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Very happy for the Dutch Royal Family; the (former) Queen was very proud of her son clearly. I hope she enjoys her retirement.

Would that Liz would follow suit.

Why are you so eager for King [Charles III/George VII]?

[Hnv1]

What I don't are people who want to replace monarchies with dull figureheads. Maybe the commonwealth realms I can understand- they have Governor Generals- but I really don't see the allure of having some dull old man who probably repuluses half the country as your head of state. Might as well have someone interesting.

Also, a figurehead president would probably be indirectly elected.

It's still better then being the head of state only due to being born into a certain family.

[Franzl]

I've grown more comfortable with monarchies. Don 't think I'd want one here, but I'm not eager to abolish them where they exist just for the principle of it.

[afleitch]

Very happy for the Dutch Royal Family; the (former) Queen was very proud of her son clearly. I hope she enjoys her retirement.

Would that Liz would follow suit.

Why are you so eager for King [Charles III/George VII]?

I'm a little eager. The British Royals have longevity on their side. When this happens (and it's not just a recent phenomena either) the Dutch solution keeps the monarchy moving. There is nothing to stop the current Queen reaching the same age as her mother. If she did, that would take her to 2027. Charles, if he's still living would be 79. Even William would be 45. You end up with a 'bottleneck' that means we could have a series of geriatric monarchs. In either event Charles would (and indeed now is) take on more and more responsibilities from his mother and towards the end of her life, take almost exclusive responsibility for the monarchy. However by the time he becomes King, William will have to almost immediately take on his responsibilities too.

Something has to come in to 'break' that. Victoria died at 81, Edward VII at 68 and George V at 71, all relatively old age's. It was the abdication and George VI's cancer that 'reset' things so that Elizabeth became a young monarch. If the Queen doesn't abdicate and she won't, then I suspect Charles may do so, after just a few years.