Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is 74 today. There will, however, be no public celebration today; Queen Beatrix will celebrate on Queen’s Day - a national holiday marking both the day she became queen and her mother's birthday on 30 April.
In November, Queen Beatrix became the oldest reigning monarch in Dutch history. The previous record was held by Willem III who was 73 when he died in 1890.
The queen still works hard, says RTL news. Earlier this month, she made a state visit to the United Arab Emirates and is due to go to Luxembourg in March. Last year, she entertained many foreign heads of state and other dignitaries. At home in the Netherlands, she has on average one major engagement per week.
Queen Beatrix will have been on the throne for exactly 32 years on Queen’s Day, RTL points out. Her mother, the late Queen Juliana, had been on throne almost as long when she abdicated in favour of her daughter in 1980. Many Dutch people expect Queen Beatrix will abdicate soon in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander.
(mw/ae)
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