Queen Beatrix Announces Abdication: January 28, 2013

[Marengo]

HM Queen Beatrix will make an announcement at 19:00 in a special broadcast on television and radio. The RVD did not say anything about the content. The mesage has been recorded earlier today.

RVD: boodschap koningin om 19.00 - NOS Nieuws

----

The NOS claims that 'sources around the court' say that she will announce her abdication.

---

Live broadcast already started: http://nos.nl/nieuws/live/journaal24/

[SLV]

I just heard about it. I'll be right next to the radio.

[GracieGiraffe]

19:00? That's about two hours from now, correct?

Well, this could be one of two things IMO. Sigh.

[Lumutqueen]

Oh no, seriously? Could this be what we all expect it to be?!

Originally Posted by GracieGiraffe

19:00? That's about two hours from now, correct?

Well, this could be one of two things IMO. Sigh.

An hour and 10 minutes.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

Oh no, seriously? Could this be what we all expect it to be?!

My gut feeling tells me that it is. Its going on a year now since the accident. I would think something like making a decision is something the Queen would make a special broadcast about.

[GracieGiraffe]

Beatrix has had an unimaginable year - so whatever this announcement is, I hope it brings her some sort of peace.

[Lumutqueen]

Could be something to do with Friso.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by GracieGiraffe

Beatrix has had an unimaginable year - so whatever this announcement is, I hope it brings her some sort of peace.

If this announcement is what seems logical to us, I imagine its the hardest broadcast she'll ever have to make. Perhaps letting go is the most humane thing to do but it can also be the hardest.

[genegirl99]

My first thought that it has something to do with Friso, but I think I need to boot up my lap top...

[windsorgirl]

Abdication speculation per the Chicago Tribune:

DUTCH QUEEN BEATRIX EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE - chicagotribune.com

I think it will be about Friso, though.

[Dman]

Well, I hope it's nothing really bad. I'm thinking it could be her abdication too.

[Marengo]

I can't see why it will be about prince Friso. Up to now all the announcements about him were made by the RVD. As said, the public channel claims that sources around the court say it will be her abdication. RTL says the same, their correspondent is getting more and more phone calls that confirm that it is an abdication. They changed their headline already to 'Queen Beatrix abdicates'. An extra speech from the prime minister is expeted too.

This is will be the second special announcement by HM, the previous one was on the occassion of the engagement of the prince of Orange.

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

[GracieGiraffe]

It's got to be an abdication.

If it were Friso, they would be spotted by media flocking to his bedside. Nor would one expect his mother to have to face a TV camera and give the dreadful news.

[Dman]

Will we be able to hear the announcement on NOS?

[Lumutqueen]

Queen Beatrix's speech will be available live on youtube http://t.co/pRt2C5s8 and http://t.co/mg9jD9m0 / royal house

[cdngirl]

I saw this on twitter. Why would she abdicate? I haven't been following this at all.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by cdngirl

I saw this on twitter. Why would she abdicate? I haven't been following this at all.

It's a sort of Dutch tradition to abdicate, she's had an incredibly rough year.

[sophie25]

Sky news is saying that it's going to be her abdication.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by angela

Sky news is saying that it's going to be her abdication.

Everything is speculation until the announcement.

[cdngirl]

It's a sort of Dutch tradition to abdicate, she's had an incredibly rough year.

Really? How interesting. Is she ill?