Beatrix of the Netherlands facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Beatrix
Beatrix in 2015
Queen of the Netherlands
Reign	30 April 1980 – 30 April 2013
Inauguration	30 April 1980
Predecessor	Juliana
Successor	Willem-Alexander
Born	(1938-01-31) 31 January 1938 (age 87) Soestdijk Palace, Baarn, Netherlands
Spouse	Claus von Amsberg ​ ​ (m. 1966; died 2002)​
Issue Detail	Willem-Alexander Prince Friso Prince Constantijn
Full name Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard
House	Orange-Nassau (official) Lippe (agnatic)
Father	Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld
Mother	Juliana of the Netherlands
Religion	Protestant
Signature

Beatrix (born 31 January 1938) is a member of the Dutch royal house. She was the Queen of the Netherlands from 1980 until she stepped down in 2013.

Beatrix was born when her grandmother, Queen Wilhelmina, was queen. She became the next in line to the throne when her mother, Queen Juliana, became queen in 1948. During World War II, Beatrix went to primary school in Canada. After the war, she finished her education in the Netherlands. In 1961, she earned a law degree from Leiden University.

In 1966, Beatrix married Claus von Amsberg, a diplomat from Germany. They had three children together. When her mother decided to step down on 30 April 1980, Beatrix became the new queen.

During her time as queen, the Netherlands' Caribbean islands changed. Aruba became its own country within the kingdom in 1986. In 2010, the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles happened. This created new special areas like Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. It also created two new countries, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

On 30 April 2013, which is Koninginnedag (Queen's Day), Beatrix gave up her throne. Her oldest son, Willem-Alexander, became king. At 75 years old, Beatrix was the oldest Dutch monarch to reign in the country's history.

Early Life of Princess Beatrix

Princess Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard was born on 31 January 1938. Her birthplace was Soestdijk Palace in Baarn, Netherlands. She was the first child of Princess Juliana of the Netherlands and Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld. Beatrix was baptised on 12 May 1938 in The Hague. Her middle names come from her grandmothers, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and Armgard.

In 1939, Beatrix's younger sister, Princess Irene, was born.

Beatrix and Irene on a boat in 1946

When World War II started in the Netherlands on 10 May 1940, the Dutch Royal Family had to leave. On 13 May, they went to London, United Kingdom. A month later, Beatrix, her mother Juliana, and sister Irene moved to Ottawa, Canada. Her father and grandmother stayed in London. The family lived in a house called Stornoway.

While in Canada, Beatrix attended nursery school and a primary school. She was known there as "Trixie Orange." Her third sister, Princess Margriet, was born in Ottawa in 1943.

The German troops in the Netherlands surrendered on 5 May 1945. The royal family returned to the Netherlands on 2 August 1945. Beatrix went to a special primary school called De Werkplaats. In 1947, her youngest sister, Princess Christina, was born. On 6 September 1948, her mother Juliana became Queen. Since Beatrix had no brothers, she became the next in line to the throne at age ten.

Education and Royal Duties

Princess Beatrix and Queen Juliana in 1960

In April 1950, Princess Beatrix started at Baarnsch Lyceum. She passed her school exams in arts and classics in 1956.

On 31 January 1956, Beatrix turned 18 years old. This meant she could now take on royal duties under the Dutch Constitution. Her mother appointed her to the Council of State.

In the same year, she began studying at Leiden University. She studied subjects like sociology, jurisprudence (law), economics, and constitutional law. She also learned about the cultures of Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles. Beatrix visited many international organizations in Europe. In July 1961, she earned her law degree.

Marriage and Family Life

Henck Arron, Princess Beatrix, and Johan Ferrier during the independence ceremony of Suriname in 1975

In 1965, Beatrix announced her engagement to Claus von Amsberg. He was a German diplomat. Their wedding day in Amsterdam on 10 March 1966 saw some protests. This was because Prince Claus had been part of the Hitler Youth and the German army during World War II. Some people associated him with German Nazism. Protesters threw a smoke bomb at the Golden Coach.

However, over time, Prince Claus became very popular with the Dutch people. His death in 2002 was a sad event for many.

On 25 November 1975, Beatrix and Prince Claus attended the independence ceremony of Suriname. They represented Queen Juliana in the new capital, Paramaribo.

Wedding Day in 1966

Wedding day, 1966

Beatrix married Claus von Amsberg on 10 March 1966. They had both a civil and a religious ceremony. The bride wore a beautiful silk satin gown. She also wore the Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara.

The royal couple rode to the ceremony in the gold state carriage. The civil ceremony took place at Amsterdam City Hall. The religious blessing was held in the Westerkerk church.

Beatrix's Children

Beatrix and Claus with their children, 1983

Beatrix and Prince Claus had three sons. They lived at Drakensteyn Castle with their children. In 1981, they moved to Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague.

Becoming Queen of the Netherlands

Princess Beatrix at Ridderkerk, February 1980

From the 1970s, Beatrix started preparing more for her role as head of state. She traveled a lot with Prince Claus.

On 31 January 1980, Queen Juliana announced on TV that she would step down. She wanted Beatrix to become queen on 30 April.

When Beatrix was born, it was not certain she would become queen. The law changed in 1983 to say that the oldest child, whether a boy or a girl, would inherit the throne. Before that, a son always had priority over a daughter.

Beatrix during her inauguration in the Nieuwe Kerk, 1980

On 30 April 1980, Beatrix became the monarch. She was officially sworn in during a special ceremony. This event took place in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam.

Queen Beatrix's Reign

As queen, Beatrix had many important duties. She had to sign every new law before it became official. She also appointed various officials and welcomed ambassadors from other countries. She gave out honors and medals too. Beyond these official duties, she was a symbol of unity for the country. She also represented the Netherlands to the world.

During her reign, Beatrix was rarely quoted directly in the news. This rule was put in place to protect her from political problems. It stopped her from saying things that might cause issues.

Beatrix played a big part in forming new governments. She appointed people who led talks to create new ruling groups. However, this changed in 2012. Now, the largest political party appoints someone to start these talks.

In 1985, Beatrix was featured in a portrait series by artist Andy Warhol. She was one of four "Reigning Queens" in the series.

On 1 January 1986, Aruba separated from the Netherlands Antilles. It became its own country within the Dutch Kingdom.

A Kiss from a Bystander

The picture published on the front page of De Telegraaf, with the headline 'Geef me een zoen, meid' (Dutch: Give me a kiss, girl)

During Queen's Day in 1988, Queen Beatrix was walking through a flea market. A man named Maarten Rijkers gave her a hug and two kisses. He said, "Give me a kiss, girl." This moment got a lot of attention in the media. It was seen as a historic event. A large picture of it was on the front page of De Telegraaf newspaper.

People saw the Queen's reaction as very positive. It helped her popularity in that area of Amsterdam. Some historians have suggested that this moment might have been planned. However, the Queen was known for not leaving things to chance.

Later Years as Queen

On 6 October 2002, Queen Beatrix's husband, Prince Claus, passed away after a long illness. About a year and a half later, her mother died. Her father passed away in December 2004.

Queen Beatrix and her son, Willem-Alexander in the Golden Coach on Prinsjesdag 2007. This is the day she gives the annual speech from the throne.

On 8 February 2005, Beatrix received a special honorary degree from Leiden University. She usually did not accept such honors. In her speech, she talked about the monarchy and her 25 years as Queen.

On 29 and 30 April 2005, she celebrated her 25th anniversary as queen. There was a concert in Amsterdam and a celebration in The Hague.

In 2009, Forbes magazine estimated her wealth at about US$300 million.

On 30 April 2009, Beatrix and other members of the royal family were in a parade. A man named Karst Tates drove his car into the crowd. He narrowly missed the bus carrying the Queen. Five people died instantly, and two more died later from their injuries. The royal family was unharmed, but they saw the crash up close. Beatrix quickly made a televised speech to express her shock and sadness. The man reportedly told police he was trying to hit the royal family.

Abdication and Post-Reign

Princess Beatrix, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima waving to crowds after her abdication

On 28 January 2013, Beatrix announced on national TV that she would step down. She chose 30 April (Koninginnedag) for her abdication. This was exactly 33 years after she became queen. Beatrix said it was time for a new generation to take over. Her oldest son, Prince Willem-Alexander, was her heir. She was the third Dutch monarch in a row to abdicate, following her grandmother and mother.

The change of power, including the inauguration of Willem-Alexander as king, happened on 30 April 2013.

After stepping down, Beatrix still takes on some royal duties. She is also a patron of many organizations. She lives in Drakensteyn Castle near Lage Vuursche.

Places Named After Beatrix

Many places in the Netherlands and other countries are named after Beatrix. These include:

• Streekziekenhuis Koningin Beatrix, a hospital in Winterswijk.
• Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba.
• Reina Beatrix School in Aruba.
• Queen Beatrix Hospital Medical Center, Sint Eustatius.
• Queen Beatrix Chair in Dutch Studies at UC Berkeley.
• Queen Beatrix Nursing Home, Albion Park Rail, Australia.

Several parks also bear her name:

• Beatrixpark in Amsterdam.
• Beatrixpark in Almere.
• Beatrixpark in 's-Hertogenbosch.
• Beatrixpark in Utrecht.
• Beatrixpark in Schiedam.

Titles and Honors

Royal Monogram of Queen Beatrix

Beatrix has held many titles throughout her life. She was a princess, then the Queen, and now a princess again.

• 31 January 1938 – 30 April 1980: Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld
• 30 April 1980 – 30 April 2013: Her Majesty The Queen of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld
• 30 April 2013 – present: Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld

When she was Queen, her official title was Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, etc., etc., etc.. The "etc., etc., etc." refers to her many other old titles. She signed official papers simply as "Beatrix." When speaking to her, people would say "Your Majesty" or "Uwe Majesteit" in Dutch, and then "Mevrouw" (ma'am).

Beatrix has received many honors and awards from countries around the world. As Queen, she was the Grand Master of the Military Order of William and other Dutch orders. She is also a special member of the Most Noble Order of the Garter and the Order of the Golden Fleece in Spain.

Coat of Arms

Arms of Beatrix of the Netherlands

Notes As Queen of the Netherlands (1980–2013), Beatrix used the Greater Coat of Arms of the Realm (or "Grote Rijkswapen"). Escutcheon Quarterly, 1 and 3, Azure, billetty Or a lion with a coronet Or armed and langued Gules holding in his dexter paw a sword Argent hilted Or and in the sinister paw seven arrows Argent pointed and bound together Or (royal arms of the Netherlands, i.e. that of her mother, Queen Juliana), 2 and 4, Or, a horn azure, langued gules (arms of the former Principality of Orange), on an inescutcheon argent, a rose gules, seeded vert (arms of the House of Lippe-Biesterfeld, i.e. that of her late father, Prince Bernhard) Banner As Princess, Beatrix used a square and swallow tailed flag, with the Royal standard colours and their maternal arms (the horn of Orange) in the upper hoist and their paternal arms (the rose of Lippe) in the lower hoist. The arms of the Netherlands (which originates from Nassau) without the insignia of the Order of Willem within an orange circle. Previous versions Beatrix as monarch bore the Greater Coat of Arms of the Realm, (or "Grote Rijkswapen"). The components of the coats of arms were regulated by Queen Wilhelmina in a royal decree of 10 July 1907 and were affirmed by Queen Juliana in a royal decree of 23 April 1980: Azure, billetty Or a lion with a coronet Or armed and langued Gules holding in his dexter paw a sword Argent hilted Or and in the sinister paw seven arrows Argent pointed and bound together Or.

Prime Ministers During Her Reign

[[multiple image | perrow = 1/1 | align = right | total_width = 250 | image1 = Koningin Beatrix en minister-president Lubbers, Bestanddeelnr 933-6232.jpg | caption1 = With Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers, 1986 | image2 = KoninginBeatrix MarkRutte.jpg | caption2 = With Prime Minister Mark Rutte, 2013 ]] During Queen Beatrix's reign, many different Prime Ministers led the governments in the Netherlands and its Caribbean countries. Here are some of them:

See also

In Spanish: Beatriz de los Países Bajos para niños

Images for kids

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  Beatrix's signature

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  Coat of Arms of Beatrix of the Netherlands

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  Royal Monogram of Queen Beatrix

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  Standard of a Princess of the Netherlands

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  Royal Arms of the Netherlands