Royal inauguration for new Dutch king

Dutch King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands arrives with his wife Queen Maxima for his inauguration at the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) in Amsterdam. (Michael Kooren / AFP/Getty Images)

April 30, 2013 12 AM PT

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands became Princess Beatrix on Tuesday, abdicating the throne in favor of her son Willem-Alexander, who is now the country’s first king in more than a century.

New King Willem-Alexander kisses his mother, the former Queen Beatrix, while his wife Maxima watches on a balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. (Jeroen van der Meyde / Dutch Royal House)

New King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, his wife Queen Maxima, right, and their children Princess Catharina-Amalia, front left, Princess Ariane, front right, and Princess Alexia wave to the crowd gathered at the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. (Robin Utrecht / AFP/Getty Images)