To abdicate or not?

It was announced today that Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands will be retiring (or as the BBC has put it Abdicated) from her position on April 30th.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21237254

She is part of the Oranje-Nassau dynasty which includes King Willem III of Holland, England and Wales (King Willem II of Scotland). (note: He was the King of Holland but since the formation of The Netherlands there has also been 3 Kings called Willem of which the last one reigned until his death in 1890 and funnly enough that was the last Dutch King!)

Queen Beatrix's birthday is this Thursday but kept her mothers birtdhay for the celebrations as it is a warmer time of year. Prince Willem-Alexander takes over. As a side note Prince Friso who was caught in an avalanche last year is still in a coma.


But the crux of this post is, do you think its a good idea that the monarch retires and do you think we such follow suit and the Royals reture rather than die whilst in reign?

There is nothing to stop Lizzie retiring, she chooses not to, its down to the individual.

AS they're only a figurehead for ceremonial duties with no real power in policy making design or delivery- it doesn't really matter what their physical state is. The queen is doing a grand job- whether you like the monarchy or not. Why change a winning situation- one that isn't broken.
I hope that she reigns until she turns her toes up- I can't think of a decent reason why she should give up the job.
It's worked like this for hundreds of years - one abdicated for personal reasons ( to get maried to a divorcee) and before that it was Charles I getting decapitated by a bunch of republican parliamentarians - who didn't last long themselves..
It works -so leave it alone

Unlike the Dutch our monarch is the head of the Church of England.

If the Queen abdicated it would mean that Charles who is next in line for the throne would be in a position as both a divorced man and the head of the C of E, which would upset the various God botherers.

I think the unstated plan is that the Queen carries on until her death by which time Charles will be getting on quite a bit too - and he forgoes his right to the thrown and instead it passes down to his eldest son William.

So no, I don't think there will be any abdication by the Queen at all.

On a related matter, Prince Willem-alexander is being coronated as King on April 30th - thus making its Queen/King Day (although from next year King day will be on his birthday - 27th April - so not much difference!). But just checked the hotel prices and they have gone astronomically high - a normal price at a hotel near me would normally cosy €90/night but today the rooms were going for €900/night and they are going fast!!!

I have my thinking cap on.... I could actually rent out my apartment for an astronomical figure and help pay for my few months here in the UK!!!! There again, I would rather be there for those few days :-)

Yes all of them can fuck off and the church of england, Rat Catchers rule.

Found ou today as to what will be happening....

On April 30th, which is currently Queensday, the Queen will be signing off her abdication at the Royal Palace on the Dam, which will then be followed by the Coronation of Willem-Alexander (future King Willem IV) at Nieuw Kerk (next to the Palace). Going to be busy that day, in Amsterdam!!!