Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has signed the official act of abdication at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, making her son Willem-Alexander the first King of the nation in 120 years. Beatrix abdicated after a 33 year reign.
Willem-Alexander is New Dutch King
![Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima stand inside the Nieuwe Kerk or New Church in Amsterdam, at his investiture, April 30, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/80D389A6-F07A-4D8F-A27A-879AACF61753_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
1
Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima stand inside the Nieuwe Kerk or New Church in Amsterdam, at his investiture, April 30, 2013.
![Princess Beatrix of Netherlands (C), her son, Dutch King Willem-Alexander (L) and his wife Queen Maxima wave to the crowd from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.](https://gdb.voanews.com/455E1979-F446-4030-8F9D-E91C9AAF9553_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
2
Princess Beatrix of Netherlands (C), her son, Dutch King Willem-Alexander (L) and his wife Queen Maxima wave to the crowd from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
![A crowd gathered in Dam Square to watch as King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix sign the act of abdication in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.](https://gdb.voanews.com/A6BA0325-567E-433C-9209-F3949C3212B2_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
3
A crowd gathered in Dam Square to watch as King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix sign the act of abdication in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
![Dutch King Willem-Alexander kisses his mother Princess Beatrix as his wife Queen Maxima looks on from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.](https://gdb.voanews.com/0008805E-3310-495B-AAD4-F5843889A89A_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
4
Dutch King Willem-Alexander kisses his mother Princess Beatrix as his wife Queen Maxima looks on from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.