HOLLAND (Reuters) – Willem-Alexander has become the first King of the Netherlands in over 120 years.
His mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicated on Tuesday, handing the leadership over to her eldest son.
An estimated 25,000 well-wishers cheered outside the Royal Palace in Amsterdam as the abdication and automatic succession were broadcast live.
The crowds had gathered in Dam Square from early on Tuesday to see the new King and his wife, Queen Maxima, as they stepped out onto the balcony of the Royal Palace. Beatrix blinked back tears as she presented her son.
The last time Holland had a king was in 1890.
