The Life Of: Queen Beatrix

Since, Queen Beatrix announced she would abdicate in favour of her son, Willem-Alexander. I decided to look back at the good (and bad) times that Beatrix has spent.

Beatrix in February 2012

Beatrix was born the eldest of four daughters to Princess Juliana of the Netherlands (later, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands (d. 2004)) and Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld (d. 2004). She was born on January 32, 1938. (She's set to celebrate her 75th birthday later this year - she has the same birthday as my aunt!) She was born at Sestdijk Palace in Baarn, Netherlands. She was baptized on May 12, 1938 at the Great Church in The Hague. Her full name is: Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard.

When Beatrix was a year old, in 1939, her first younger sister, Princess Irene was born. World War II broke out in the Netherlands on May 10, 1940. Three days later, the Dutch Royal Famuly evacuated to London, England. A month later, Beatrix, Juliana, and Irene went to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. While, her father, and maternal grandmother, Wilhelmina stayed in London.

Beatrix's second sister, Margriet was born in Ottawa in 1943. Beatrix attended nursery and primary school at Rockcliffe Park Public School. Wouldn't it be cool to say, "Ya, I went to school with the Queen of the Netherlands, no biggy." Well, I guess no one would say that, mainly because they're old and they don't use slang. That would be cool though!

Anyways, on Mary 5, 1945 the German troops in the Netherlands surrendered. The family became one again when they returned on August 2, 1945. Her third sister, Christina was born in 1947. A year later, on September 6, 1948, her mother succeeded her grandmother, Wilhelmina as Queen. At the age of 10, Beatrix became the heiress presumptive. It's very similar to Catharina-Amalia, she'll be the heiress presumptive on April 30th, when her father takes the throne. However, he will be 9, not 10.

So, I skipped the education section on Wikipedia, I decided not to skip the Education section. Beatrix in 1956 celebrated her 18th birthday, her mother installed her in the Council of State. The same year, Beatrix began university at the Leiden University. She studided (in her first years) sociology, jurisprudence, economics, parliamentary history, and consitutional law. She also went to various European and international organisations. She obtained her law degree in July of 1961.

So, now we're back to the section I really wanted to do! Beatrix's marriage! So, I didn't know this, but, when Beatrix married Claus von Amsberg, it was very contriversal! It was due to the fact that he was an German aristocrat, and had served in the Hitler Youth, which associated him with German Nazism. Well, the wedding wasn't a package of chocolates (What?). After they married, a smoke bomb was thrown at the carraige, with started a violent street battle with police.

It's very funny now, because when Claus died in 2002 (R.I.P.), he was one of the favourited member of the Dutch Royal Family!

Beatrix started her reign on April 20th of 1980 after her mother, Juliana abdicated. Beatrix had very hard years between 2002 and 2004. Well, the marriage of her eldest son, Willem-Alexander to Maxima Zorreguieta Cerruti was a happy moment. The thing was, her husband, Claus, died after a long illness. Her mother died after she suffered from senile dementia (R.I.P.) in 2004 and her father died in December of 2004 (R.I.P.).

This isn't a part that makes me happy, it brings me very down. On April 30, 2009, there was an asasination attempt created by Karst Roeland Tates. He was driving at high speed, as he drove through people, watching the parade. He missed the Royal Family and crashed into a monument on the side of the road. There were 8 deaths (including Karst) and 10 injured.

Then, today, the day that Beatrix abdicated. We already discussed this, look here, to read it again.

I also forgot to mention her children, I'm smart... Her son, Prince Willem-Alexander was born on April 27, 1967 and married Maxima Zorreguieta Cerruti on February 2nd, 2002. They have 3 children: Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane.

Her second son, Prince Friso was born on September 25, 1968 and married Mabel Wisse Smit on April 24, 2004 which costed him the throne. They have 2 children: Countess Luana, and Countess Zaria. Friso was in an avalanche last year (in February - it's been so long, but felt so short!). He's currently in England, and has been showing some signs of consiousness.

Her third son, Prince Constantijn was born on October 11, 1969. He married Laurentien Brinkhorst on Mary 19, 2001 and they have 3 children: Countess Eloise, Count Calus-Casimir, and Countess Leonore.

Information: Wikipedia