The enthronement will take place on April 30, 2013, during which Queen Beatrix will abdicate and King Willem-Alexander will take the oath and be inaugurated. The abdication will take place in the Royal Palace and the inauguration in the Nieuwe Kerk on Dam Square in Amsterdam and will be broadcast live on television. This day’s program largely follows protocol and traditions. On April 30, 2013, Queen Beatrix will abdicate and King Willem-Alexander will be sworn in and inaugurated. The enthronement has been taking place in Amsterdam since 1840, both in the Royal Palace on Dam Square and in the Nieuwe Kerk there. Although the program of this historic day is not yet known, a large part of it will take place according to a pattern that has been adhered to since 1840.
In preparation
It is obvious that the navy will have an ample presence in the IJ, partly considering the fact that the future king is a naval officer. It is customary for the ships to be pavoized and for gun salutes to be given from a frigate during the day. At the inauguration of Queen Beatrix in 1980, this was the frigate Hr. Ms. De Ruyter and at the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander the frigate Hr. Ms. Evertsen deployed.
In the port, the cranes and ships will fly the flag and it is expected that a large fleet of historic ships will be moored there, which will also be festively decorated.
At the dam
From the early hours, a crowd will gather on Dam Square to experience the festivities up close. From 9.30 am the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy will appear with drums and pipers, to accompany the honorary platoon of Marines who take up guard at the palace. Around 10 a.m., various groups of people gather in the reserved areas on Dam Square. The choice of the groups lies with the Municipality of Amsterdam.
In and around the palace
Around that time, members of the 1st and 2nd chambers, ministers and other dignitaries gather in the Moses Hall, so called because of the large painting depicting Moses. Then the members of the Royal House enter and the following takes place:
- At 10 a.m., the Director of the Queen’s Office will read out the Act of Abdication
- Queen Beatrix signs the act of abdication
- After signing her name, Willem-Alexander will be the reigning monarch.
- A speech follows by the then King Willem-Alexander, mainly aimed at his mother, then Princess Beatrix.
- King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, the Prime Minister and all dignitaries such as ministers then also sign the act.
These events are broadcast live on television , as was the case with the abdication of Queen Juliana.
At 10.30 am, the abdicated queen and the new king will appear on the balcony of the palace, where they will be cheered by the crowd. A little later, Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia and Princesses Alexia and Ariane join the party. Both Princess Beatrix and King Willem-Alexander will speak briefly, after which they will go back inside. Inside they receive several dignitaries, such as the representatives of the foreign missions.
In and around the Nieuwe Kerk
Around 1:30 PM, most guests have taken their places in the Nieuwe Kerk, followed by the members of the 1st and 2nd chambers. Usually appropriate music is played around this time, such as WA Mozart’s Coronation Mass. The joint meeting of the States General will then be officially opened.
NB . Because the continuity of the monarchy is assured in the constitution, the king is not crowned. The regalia, such as the crown and the scepter, serve a symbolic purpose only; the crown and the scepter symbolize the Dutch form of government and royal authority and the orb represents the world and the area over which authority is exercised. There is also a copy of the Dutch Constitution on the table.
First of all, the ministers go to their places in the church, followed by special and foreign missions, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of foreign royal houses and family of the king and queen. It is not customary for the inauguration to be attended by reigning monarchs, but it is attended by, for example, crown princes and princesses.
Queen Máxima’s father, Mr. Jorge Horacio Zorreguieta Stefanini, will not be present at the ceremony, but other members of her family will be present. She previously decided this herself, in order to avoid a controversy about his presence.
Citizens present
The chairman of the Senate, Fred de Graaf, has reported that a selection of citizens can be present at the swearing-in; the allocation takes into account the distribution per province and the guests must also reflect the province. The intention is for the provinces to choose and nominate the guests themselves, but many registrations have also been received via the court and the States General. There would be room for at least 500 people in the church, which has 2,045 seats. The lucky ones received an invitation at the end of March.
The royal procession follows towards the church around 2 p.m., preceded by various high-ranking soldiers with banners and finally the King, dressed in the ermine cloak; This is a copy from 1980 of the original man count from 1815, which will have to be extensively restored for this occasion, which, according to Prime Minister Rutte, will not involve real fur. When the king enters, the exclamation ,the King!, follows, after which everyone stands. The Wilhelmus will be played and sung, while King Willem-Alexander, accompanied by Queen Maxima, will take his place.
The inauguration ceremony
The inauguration ceremony is a purely constitutional event that, according to tradition, takes place in the building of the Nieuwe Kerk. The inauguration consists of the following parts:
- The oath is taken, the highlight of the inauguration:
,I swear to the peoples of the Kingdom that I will always maintain and uphold the Statute for the Kingdom and the Constitution. I swear that I will defend and preserve the independence and the territory of the Kingdom with all My might; that I will preserve freedom and will protect the rights of all Dutch people and all residents, and will use all means that the laws make available to Me to maintain and promote prosperity, as a good and faithful King should do. So truly help Me, God Almighty! ,
- The King gives a speech, followed by a speech by the Chairman of the Senate, Mr. Fred de Graaf.
- The King hears the following statement from the chairman:
,We receive and honor you as king in the name of the Dutch people and in accordance with the constitution. We swear or promise that we will maintain your inviolability and the rights of your throne. We swear or promise to do everything that good and faithful States General owe to do, so help us God Almighty, we promise.,
- Then all members of the 1st and 2nd chamber are mentioned by name and they swear or make the promise.
The oath to the King is a controversial part. Until 1983 this was part of the Constitution, but was deleted that year. Yet this was brought back by a law in 1992, even though it is purely constitutionally at odds with the independence of the members of the States General. It is therefore not surprising that the MPs of the Party of the Animals, three MPs of the SP and four of Groen Links do not want to take this oath or promise. They will not be named.
- There follows the exclamation ,The King has been inaugurated. Long live the King!, followed by 3 cheers!
- Appropriate music is played
- The King and entourage leave for the palace
- Princess Beatrix follows with her entourage, where it is customary for all those present to express their respect and gratitude through prolonged applause.
Music during the inauguration
During the inauguration, four companies will perform with a diverse program:
- The New Amsterdam Children’s Choir
- Amsterdam Sinfonietta
- The Dutch Chamber Choir
- The Netherlands Wind Ensemble
One of the works that will be played is the Entrada de la Regina by Jurriaan Andriessen (1925-1996), a work that was specially written for the inauguration of Queen Beatrix and is now being performed again. In addition, it is expected that part of a cantata by JS Bach will be performed, as was the case at the inauguration in 1980.
Back at the palace
After the ceremony, a number of photos are taken of the king and queen at locations in the palace, in full regalia. They then change clothes and from 4:30 PM they receive the members of the States General, ministers and various dignitaries in the Citizens’ Hall, followed by a reception for all invited guests.
Koningsvaart on the IJ
At 6.30 pm the Royal Couple will board a boat at the EYE film museum to sail across the IJ, to the Oeverpark and via the Kop van Java to the Music Building. The King’s Sloop is not used for this cruise; it is in poor condition and also too unstable on choppy open water. We sail with the port authority’s MS Havenbeheer, a practical but unromantic alternative. A music and dance program will be offered in the Music Building in the evening and a dinner will be held for invited guests. In the evening, a King’s Ball will take place on Museumplein, renamed ,Oranjeplein, for the occasion, as part of the King’s Night festivities. No fireworks are organized.
Party in Amsterdam
It is expected that the city of Amsterdam will make it a beautiful but sober party with various activities in the city, illuminated ships and various festivities. Mayor Van der Laan has announced that the character of Queen’s Day will be preserved and that the traditional festivities and free markets will continue outside the city center.