AMSTERDAMQueen Beatrix of the Netherlands said she would abdicate after 33 years on the throne, to be succeeded in the largely ceremonial role by her eldest son, 45-year-old Willem-Alexander.
The queen, who turns 75 this week, announced her abdication in a prerecorded televised address Monday. The coincidence of her birthday and the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was the reason for her decision,
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