Dutch citizens were gathering in Amsterdam’s central square today for the abdication of Queen Beatrix and her succession by Crown Prince Willem-Alexander.
Many wore orange or carry red, white and blue balloons in the colours of the Dutch flag.
Hundreds of thousands were expected to attend the festivities in Amsterdam, and millions would celebrate outdoors throughout the Netherlands.
A new era starts for the Dutch monarchy after 33 years of reign by Queen Beatrix, 75.
Willem-Alexander, 46, will be the country’s first male monarch in 122 years.
Queen Beatrix is scheduled to sign the Abdication Act at 10 am (0800 GMT) in the Royal Palace on Dam Square. The act makes her son king, and his eldest daughter Amalia, 9, Crown Princess.
The new monarch king will then take an oath of loyalty in the Nieuwe Kerk, also on Dam Square.
In her last television address as head of state late Monday, Queen Beatrix thanked her subjects for the trust and support she enjoyed over the years.
The Queen said she had “shared both joy and national pride” with her people as well as their “sorrow and anxiety.” Queen Beatrix announced in January her intention to stand down.