Dutch Queen Beatrix to abdicate in favour of son

January 29, 2013 01:17

AFP reports: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced today that she would abdicate in favour of her son Crown Prince Willem Alexander at the end of April after 33 years in power.

"It is with the greatest of confidence, that I will hand over the throne on April 30 to my son, Willem Alexander, Prince of Orange," Beatrix told national television, using the official title of the heir apparent.

The queen, who is to turn 75 on Thursday, said her birthday and the 200-year anniversary of the monarchy in 2013 'were the reason for me to step down'.

"I'm standing down because public service is too heavy for me, because of the belief that responsibility for our country should be in the hands of a new generation," she said.

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