- Title: ARGENTINA: Argentines celebrate coronation of Dutch King and his Argentine wife
- Date: 30th April 2013
- Summary: VARIOUS DUTCH RESIDENTS LIVING IN ARGENTINA ARRIVING AT BUENOS AIRES HIPPODROME TO WATCH DUTCH CORONATION ON BIG SCREENS VARIOUS OF CORONATION BEING AIRED VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ARRIVING, CARRYING PHOTOGRAPH OF WILLEM-ALEXANDER AND HIS WIFE MAXIMA, WITH CHILDREN DUTCH AMBASSADOR TO ARGENTINA HEIN DE VRIES, ARRIVING TO DELIVER SPEECH (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) DUTCH AMBASSADOR TO ARGENTINA HEIN DE VRIES, SAYING: "A few moments ago, the Queen signed the abdication. We have a new King and Queen who was born in Argentina. That means the ties between Argentina and the Netherlands continue. My wish is that cooperation between both countries in different areas such as culture and commerce, among many others, deepen and continue bearing fruits." VARIOUS OF SOPRANO SINGING DUTCH NATIONAL ANTHEM
- Embargoed: 15th May 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Netherlands
- Country: Netherlands
- Topics: Royalty,Royalty
- Reuters ID: LVAASE732UZ5LEYQQA7D1BNRGOPX
- Story Text: Argentines and Dutch nationals living in the South American country gathered to watch Willem-Alexander become the first king of the Netherlands since 1890 on Tuesday (April 30) and his wife Maxima, a former investment banker from Argentina, Queen.
The Dutch coronation was aired at the Buenos Aires Hippodrome on big screens.
Dutch Ambassador to Argentina Hein De Vries, was present at the special event and delivered a speech.
"A few moments ago, the Queen signed the abdication. We have a new King and Queen who was born in Argentina. That means the ties between Argentina and the Netherlands continue. My wish is that cooperation between both countries in different areas such as culture and commerce, among many others, deepen and continue bearing fruits," he said.
Blinking back tears, former Queen Beatrix stepped out onto the balcony of the Royal Palace and presented her son to crowds of orange-clad well-wishers who had gathered in Dam Square from early on Tuesday.
Beatrix, 75, retired after 33 years in the role, following in the tradition of her mother and grandmother. She now takes the title princess.
An estimated 25,000 people massed in the square - many dressed in the colour of the House of Orange or wearing orange wigs, hats, feather boas and pretend crowns - cheered as the abdication and automatic succession were broadcast live.
Wearing a sober purple dress, Beatrix signed the abdication document in front of the Dutch cabinet, Willem-Alexander, 46, and his wife Maxima.
The new queen wore a pale rose-colored dress with a shimmery skirt and enormous bow on the left shoulder by Belgian designer Edouard Vermeulen of fashion house Natan.
The investiture ceremonies have provided a welcome excuse to celebrate at a time when plummeting house prices, rising unemployment and slumping consumer confidence have pushed the country into recession.
Willem-Alexander's marriage to Maxima in 2002 was controversial because Maxima's father, Jorge Zorreguieta, served in Argentina's military dictatorship more than 30 years ago.
Maxima quickly endeared herself to the Dutch, however - a poll showed she is now as popular as Beatrix, and even more popular than her husband.
The couple are expected to bring a less formal touch to the monarchy. Willem-Alexander is a water management specialist, a useful expertise in a country where much of the land is below sea level, and Maxima campaigns for the poor to have better access to financial services.
The throne was stripped of its political influence by an act of parliament last year, and the monarch no longer appoints the mediator who conducts exploratory talks when forming government coalitions.
There were among 2,000 visitors at the official investiture ceremony in the 600-year-old Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church, on Tuesday afternoon.
Celebrations are expected to continue through the evening with a water pageant along the IJ, Amsterdam's historic waterfront. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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