Dutch Queen Beatrix

Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander became Europe's youngest monarch on Tuesday after his mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicated and his country hailed the avowedly 21st-century king with a massive, orange-hued party.

Dutch Queen Beatrix, who turns 75 on Thursday, announced she was abdicating in favour of her son, Prince Willem-Alexander, who will become king on April 30.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was expected to tender his resignation today after the collapse of a parliamentary partnership with a far-right party fatally undermined his governing coalition. The ANP news agency reported that Rutte would submit his resignation in a meeting with Queen Beatrix at the palace scheduled for 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) followin...

Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander became Europe's youngest monarch on Tuesday after his mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicated and his country hailed the avowedly 21st-century king with a massive, orange-hued party.

Dutch Queen Beatrix, who turns 75 on Thursday, announced she was abdicating in favour of her son, Prince Willem-Alexander, who will become king on April 30.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was expected to tender his resignation today after the collapse of a parliamentary partnership with a far-right party fatally undermined his governing coalition. The ANP news agency reported that Rutte would submit his resignation in a meeting with Queen Beatrix at the palace scheduled for 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) followin...