Amsterdam Flooded With Orange Patriotism as Netherlands New King Prepares to Ascend the Throne
The streets of Amsterdam began to turn orange Monday in honor of the Netherlands’ ruling House of Oranje-Nassau, as officials prepare for a once-in-a-generation rotation of royal titles — and the rest of the country gets ready to party.
National broadcaster NOS reported that Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his family were in the Royal Palace on the city’s central Dam square Monday morning, rehearsing protocols for the ceremonies Tuesday in which Queen Beatrix will abdicate, Willem-Alexander becomes king and his 9-year-old daughter Princess Catharina-Amalia becomes crown princess.
Queen Beatrix will address the nation for the last time as head of state Monday evening, and she is hosting a reception at the newly renovated national museum, the Rijksmuseum.
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