Your thoughts about (Dutch) Abdications

[Marengo]

I think it is already hard not to abdicate, the general view among the public, opinion leaders, politicians etc. is that we have a tradition of abdication and that HM will abdicate. Several polls each year say that she should abdicate (within x years) btw, usually the option that HM should not abdicate is not included in polls as it is considered out of the question by those who make the poll (just to show how commonly accepted the idea of abdication is). Note that if journalists etc. ask peopel why they want the queen to abdicate most people say 'she deserves some rest, she worked long enough' etc. ; not that she is doing a bad job or anything, her ratings never have been higher I think.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by Marengo

I think it is already hard not to abdicate, the general view among the public, opinion leaders, politicians etc. is that we have a tradition of abdication and that HM will abdicate. Several polls each year say that she should abdicate (within x years) btw, usually the option that HM should not abdicate is not included in polls as it is considered out of the question by those who make the poll (just to show how commonly accepted the idea of abdication is). Note that if journalists etc. ask peopel why they want the queen to abdicate most people say 'she deserves some rest, she worked long enough' etc. ; not that she is doing a bad job or anything, her ratings never have been higher I think.

But nobody know is Beatrix also wants to abdicate. Has she ever stated that she will abdicate. As far ia i can recall not. But also not that she will not abdicate. She can also have more rest if she gives more of her duties to WA and Máxima but remains Queen and only does the important duties herself.

[dazzling]

Originally Posted by Stefan

But if she abdicates already 3 monarchs in a row have abdicated. This will it make more difficult for another King/Queen who doesn't want to abdicate to remain on the throne until his/her death.

Why would it be difficult for the next one to abdicate? Lots of past Kings/Queens have not abdicated.

[Maxie]

Well, the Dutch would scream bloody murder if Queen Beatrix stayed on till she's 90. And not because they don't like her, but because a lot of them find that she deserves a quiet old day. Just like her mother and grand mother did.

As far as I'm considered I hope she stays on a little longer, though.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by dazzling

Why would it be difficult for the next one to abdicate? Lots of past Kings/Queens have not abdicated.

Because already now after 2 moanrchs in a row have abdicated there is an expection that she will abdicate at some point.

[Marengo]

Originally Posted by Stefan

But nobody know is Beatrix also wants to abdicate. Has she ever stated that she will abdicate. As far ia i can recall not. But also not that she will not abdicate. She can also have more rest if she gives more of her duties to WA and Máxima but remains Queen and only does the important duties herself.

I think she was once asked about this in the most recent interview by the NOS on the occassion of her 25th jubilee (or a previous interview). She said she wanted to give her son and daughter-in-law some more time to enjoy their family, like she was able to do herself. She did not say she would never abdicate. When the crownprince was asked about his mothers abdication plans he said only his mother knew. That were the only occassions members of the RF comented on it thus far.
Technically it is possible that she will never abdicate of course.

[stevenrosarda]

Originally Posted by banda_windsor

It has been at least two privious monarch that abdicated from the throne in the favour of their Children.

Queen Wilhelmina Abdicated in 1948 after reigning for 58 years, and Queen Juliana Abdicated in 1980 after reigning for 32 years.

Do you think Queen Beatrix will also abdicated in the favour of The Prince of Oranje? She's now 68 and already reigning for 26 years.

No, she will not. As she stated she will not abdicate in the near future, to allow Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife Princess Máxima to spend time with their family.

[IloveCP]

Im not really a fan of it.I wonder what the Dutch thought of it.

[Fürstin Taxis]

I admit I find this model good, because the heir won´t be over 60 when he/she reaches the throne. The heir has then his family and is prepared for the future role. And I like the idea of more then one King or Queen in a country.

[lucien]

Originally Posted by IloveCP

Im not really a fan of it.I wonder what the Dutch thought of it.

Wise.Old people should take a rest at any one time when aging and when they feel they are not entirely up to the job and that a younger generation should step in with a fresh input and new elan.But as one isn't the other one can not automatically confer that to all and everyone,it is and will remain up to them.Always.We were always very sorry indeed to see them go and make place,but there has always been a wide understanding,and there still is today.Sometimes it is discussed as if Dutch Monarchs only Abdicate,never Reign till their nuts end and/or death.Not true,Only Queen Wilhelmina Abdicated as she was impressed by the example of Emperor Charles V,who abdicated when he found his strenght was lingering the wrong way and was tired in old age.She thought that to be wise,and as it was after WWII and she indeed was tired,she choose the Abdication.

( Queen Wilhelmina was tired as to the point she totally collapsed several times unable to do anything and her daughter Princess Juliana was appointed Regent for her mother twice after the war)

For Queen Juliana it was the same almost,she felt she wasn't as quick and in the right condition to fullfill her tasks,and her daughter was ready to take over,very much so,so that decision was taken in fall 1979 (privately within the family;(read HM and then Crown Princess Beatrix)but announced officially on the Crown Princes's birthday,january 31st 1980.I remember everyone was in awe and dumbstruck as we had not seen this coming.But I also remember we all thought it a wise decision,everyone.We hated to see her go as Queen as she was immensely loved and respected,but there was a broad understanding,yes.

I will not speculate on HM Queen Beatrix,if alone as that looks very ungratefull in respect to the work she does and has done for the past 31 years,and indeed an insult to HM herself.She decides if,and she decides when.She's not into hypes nor to be influenced in that matter.

They can all do what they like in other Monarchies,I do not particularly care,it's their Monarchs business and only His/Hers,no-one elses even tho these days everybody thinks they have a say in it.They don't.Not then,not now.Each his own,but we are very much pleased and content with the way matters are handled here regardless which way HM will decide eventually.We know full well HM is committed to her task,and she fullfills that excellent and with immense knowledge on dossiers and people.Really,that is an extraordinairy asset of HM,her fabulous mind,not just a saying because she is who she is.No,she has that,she is a formidable Lady,very well capable to make her own decisions and mastermind her own role,now and in the future.
Regardless what Aunt Lillibeth decides or thinks,no consequence,the Queen is ours and will do things her way in any respect,and have ours.

[MARG]

I think it is wonderful that abdication is an option in the Netherlands. When your Queen decides she can no longer carry on as well as she has before she will decide it is time to rest and abdicate having trained up the Crown Princely couple to her exacting standards and sure they will aquit themselves well.

Unfortuneately, due to the history of the later part of the 20th Century, Queen Elizabeth does not have that option, but at least she still has a consort to love and support herl

[lucien]

Originally Posted by MARG

I think it is wonderful that abdication is an option in the Netherlands. When your Queen decides she can no longer carry on as well as she has before she will decide it is time to rest and abdicate having trained up the Crown Princely couple to her exacting standards and sure they will aquit themselves well.

Unfortuneately, due to the history of the later part of the 20th Century, Queen Elizabeth does not have that option, but at least she still has a consort to love and support herl

Abdication is always an option everywhere.It is one of the Prerogatives of the Monarch to decide that,everywhere.That nonsense nazi Edward VIII didn't change that,alltho Aunty Lillibeth might feel it does.She does still hang on as to be the by God annointed one.Yes,well,she's the last of her generation to hang on to that.

But this thread is about the Dutch,so,it's Dutch we discuss.

[MARG]

I wonder why people ask when Queen Beatrix is going to abdicate? She is still relatively young and her people seem to love her. Is it just the eternal need for new and "fresh" young royals?

[Daisiesforever]

Abdication may be an option in countries like the Netherlands, however, I see no reason why any monarch should. If he or she is loved by the people and coping with their royal duties, why even think about it? Age should not be an issue either. Obviously one can always delegate to the younger royals if duties do become too demanding. I do think it is totally insensitive to even discuss the possible abdication of Queen Beatrix. She is lovely.

[Tezz_mission]

Originally Posted by lucien

Not true,Only Queen Wilhelmina Abdicated as she was impressed by the example of Emperor Charles V,who abdicated when he found his strenght was lingering the wrong way and was tired in old age.She thought that to be wise,and as it was after WWII and she indeed was tired,she choose the Abdication.

Actually, King William I also abdicated following troubles surrounding his intended second marriage to catholic Belgian lady-in-waiting Henriette d'Oultremont. William I was also severely desillusioned by the loss of Belgium.

[NGalitzine]

If it became apparent that Beatrix had no intention of abdicating and assuming she remains in good health would there be an adverse reaction from the public? There is afterall no requirement that she step down and let WA accend the throne before her death.

[lucien]

Originally Posted by Tezz_mission

Actually, King William I also abdicated following troubles surrounding his intended second marriage to catholic Belgian lady-in-waiting Henriette d'Oultremont. William I was also severely desillusioned by the loss of Belgium.

I am aware of that yes,I even wrote about it on that specific thread here,iirc,years ago.

Galitzine,no, there would not be an adverse reaction at all.But,it is all up to her,and her alone.Any speculation is going nowhere and an insult to HM for the work she has done and does.It's nobodies business untill whatever She decides and if then it will be Her's to decide,not the hyped up kids on fora or Boards.

[Arthur Martinelli]

And as Beatrix turns 74 and 32 years on the throne, once again they are talking about it.

Is Queen Beatrix preparing to abdicate? - National Royal News | Examiner.com

DutchNews.nl - Queen Beatrix celebrates 74th birthday, is she about to abdicate?

Beatrix now oldest ruling Dutch monarch - The Irish Times - Wed, Feb 01, 2012

[NotHRH]

Originally Posted by Arthur Martinelli

And as Beatrix turns 74 and 32 years on the throne, once again they are talking about it.

Is Queen Beatrix preparing to abdicate? - National Royal News | Examiner.com

DutchNews.nl - Queen Beatrix celebrates 74th birthday, is she about to abdicate?

Beatrix now oldest ruling Dutch monarch - The Irish Times - Wed, Feb 01, 2012

Why the speculation? Does it really matter? What ramifications if she does not abdicate, or if HM Queen Beatrix does abdicate?

[Artemisia]

Dutch people take legitimate interest in the future of their Head of State. And the rest of us royal watchers are just interested.

In my opinion, Queen Beatrix is unlikely to abdicate within the next 5-10 years. The Crown Princely couple are parents to three daughters who are still very young; I think the Queen will give them some time to lead a (relatively) normal life before abdicating. Princess Amalia is just way too young to become Heiress Apparent to the throne.

That's more or less what I think of King Albert of Belgium; the Duke and Duchess of Brabant need a little more time to raise their children.