The king entered the church at a stately pace with Maxima under an awning of fishing nets, an ancient tradition in the seafaring nation.Д«efore taking his oath, the king thanked his 'dear mother' for the 'many beautiful years during which she was our queen.' 'I'm treading in your footsteps. The Dutch monarch is sworn in before a joint session of the houses of parliament in the deconsecrated church, rather than crowned, because church and royalty are separated in the Netherlands. Willem-Alexander, Maxima and Beatrix appeared in front of the crowds on the palace balcony, bedecked in roses and oranges, before heading for the enthronement ceremony in the neighbouring Nieuwe Kerk.Д«eatrix accompanied the king and queen's three daughters to the church, including their eldest, now Princess of Orange Catharina-Amalia, 9.

The Netherlands' Willem-Alexander was sworn in as Europe's youngest monarch on Tuesday after his mother, queen Beatrix, abdicated and his country hailed the avowedly 21st-century king with a massive, orange-hued party.Д«eatrix, 75, shed a tear before signing the act of abdication at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, witnessed by Willem-Alexander, 46, his Argentine-born Queen Maxima, 41, and members of the government.ДЄ cry went up from the 25,000 crowd in the Dam, the main square opposite the palace where the signing was shown on giant screens.

Willem-Alexander sworn in as Dutch king AMSTERDAM - Agence France-PresseДutch King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and members of the royal household take part in the inauguration ceremony at the Nieuwe Kerk or New Church in Amsterdam on April 30, 2013.

Willem alexander