Outline of Abdication and Investiture Programme
29 April 2013
20.00-22.30
Dinner, at the invitation of Her Majesty the Queen, with members of the Royal
Family and other royal and foreign missions at the Rijksmuseum.
30 April 2013
10.00-10.30
Abdication of Her Majesty the Queen in the Moseszaal of the Royal Palace
Amsterdam. Those present will include the Presidents of the Senate and the House
of Representatives, the Council of Ministers for the Kingdom and members of the
Royal Family, the governors and prime-ministers of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint
Maarten.
The Queen will give a short address. The Director of the Queen's Office will then read aloud the instrument of abdication to which the Queen will then give her assent by means of her signature. Finally the instrument of abdication will be signed by the witnesses.
10.30-10.50
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, Her Majesty Queen Máxima and Her Royal
Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands appear on the balcony of the Royal
Palace Amsterdam. Princess Beatrix and the King will both give a short address,
after which the Wilhelmus will be played. Her Royal Highness the Princess of
Orange and Their Royal Highnesses Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane will then
join their parents on the balcony.
13.30
Opening of the joint session of the States General, following the entry of the
members of the States General, the States of Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten, the
Council of Ministers for the Kingdom and the Council of State.
13.50
Princess Beatrix and other members of the Royal Family proceed to the Nieuwe
Kerk.
14.00
The King and the main cortege proceed to the Nieuwe Kerk.
14.00-15.30
Swearing in and investiture of the King at the joint session of the two Houses
of the States General in the Nieuwe Kerk. The King will deliver an address and
be sworn in. The President of the joint session, Fred de Graaf, will deliver an
address and make a solemn declaration, after which members of the States General
and the States of Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten swear an oath or make an
affirmation.
15.30
The King and his retinue proceed to the Royal Palace Amsterdam.
16.30-18.00
Reception for royal and foreign missions, dignitaries and members of the States
General and the States of Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten, Council of Ministers
for the Kindom, the Council of State, governors and prime-ministers of Aruba,
Curacao and Sint Maarten and the Corps Diplomatique in the Royal Palace
Amsterdam.
19.30
The Song for the King will be performed in the presence of the King and Queen,
prior to the water pageant. This will take place at the EYE Film Museum via a
video link with Ahoy Rotterdam.
19.45-21.30
The King and Queen will take part in a water pageant with their daughters on the
River IJ. They will sail from EYE Film Institute past the Oever Park and the
'Kop van Java'. At several places along the route they will be treated to a
festive programme, including a 'mini Sail'.
21.30
Celebration, hosted by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Council of Ministers
for the Kingdom.