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A QUEEN'S LIFE

Princess Beatrix, born at january 31 1938, was the daughter of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, the granddaughter of Queen Wilhelmina and the greatgranddaughter of Queen Emma. She was born at Paleis Soestdijk at Baarn, the palace where they lived untill WW2 (may 1940). Princess Juliana left with little Princess Beatrix and here little sister Princess Irene (born in 1939) to England and from there to Ottawa, Canada. She didn't want to, but she was forced not to risk the lifes of herself and the future Queen.
At august 2 1945 the family came back to our country again accompanied by the little Princess Margriet, who was born in 1943 in Canada.
In 1947 she got another little sister: Princess Marijke, later called Princess Christina.

The throne would have gone to a boy, if one had been born, but as Queen Juliana got 4 daughters, our Princes Beatrix was to become our Queen.
All girls were raised as much as possible as normal children.
During the years in Ottawa that was easy, but when they returned in The Netherlands she had to get used to more publicity.
In 1948 her mother became Queen, and Princess Beatrix as our future Queen she was taught the responsibilities that come with the position.

Here she is with Princess Margriet, the sister who takes over some responsibilities when necessary.

She went to school in Baarn and to University in Leiden.
She enjoyed and still enjoys sailing and she loves to ride her horse at the seashore.

She was engaged to Claus von Amsberg at june 28th 1965 and they married march 10th 1966 in Amsterdam and went to live at the house where the Princess lived since 1963: at Castle Drakensteyn at Lage Vuursche, Utrecht.

Their first son, Willem Alexander,was born at april 27 1967.

A year after that Johan Friso was born, and another year later Constantijn.
The three boys always guaranteed interesting Queens Days as they activily participated in the celebrations.
They helped with the flowers, ran around and behaved like all boys of their age did.
The cameras loved them and the whole country was amused.

At Queens Day 1980 Princess Beatric became our Queen.
We call her Queen Beatrix, but officially she is Her Majesty Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard, Queen of The Netherlands, Princess of Oranje-Nassau, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld.

Her mother wanted to be as normal a woman as possible which made it difficult for Queen Beatrix to find her own style.
Times had changed and needed was a more formal bussinesslike Queen.
People had to get used to her and many spoke before their turn and said they didn't like her.
But during the years they had to reconsider.
Our Queen is very interested in everything that has to do with the people in our country. After visits her knowledge is always mentioned and people are surprised by the way she deals with them.

During the years she has been to many countries and she has received many heads of states here.

She also saw her sons grow up and marry.

Prince Willem Alexander met the Argentine Máxima Zorreguieta.
Their engagement was announced at march 30 2001.

Prince Willem Alexander and Máxima Zorreguieta married at februari 2, 2002.

Now the Queen is grandmother of 4 little ones. Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien received a daughter Eloïse in 2002.
Two years later Claus-Casimir.
In december 2003 Princess Máxima gave birth to a daughter Catharina-Amalia. After her father, Prince Willem-Alexander, she's next to the throne.

March 2005 Luana was born to Prince Friso and Princess Mabel.
And right now Princess Máxima is expecting a baby again.

The Queen tried to hide as much of her private life from the press.
Each year she and her family allowed the press to make photographs when they were on holiday though.
And ofcourse family events were photographed.

This and the many photographs taken at official meetings and activities give a good impression of her life.
She was very happy with her husband, who was also her advisor.
His health deteriorated from 1982 and he died at october 6 2002.

The year 2004 was another year of loss and grief.
Both her parents passed away.

Queen Beatrix is now our queen for 25 years.
And we're very proud of her.