Queen Beatrix, whose full name is Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard, was born on January 31, 1938, at Soestdijk Palace in Baarn, the Netherlands. She served as Queen of the Netherlands from April 30, 1980, to April 30, 2013. A member of the House of Orange-Nassau, she succeeded her mother, Queen Juliana, who voluntarily abdicated after nearly 32 years on the throne. Beatrix reigned for 33 years before transferring the crown to her eldest son, King Willem-Alexander, on April 30, 2013. Since her abdication, she has been officially known as Princess Beatrix.

Early Life and Family

Queen Beatrix was born on January 31, 1938, at Soestdijk Palace in Baarn, the Netherlands. Her mother was Queen Juliana, and her father was Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld. Her grandmother, Queen Wilhelmina, was the reigning monarch at the time of her birth.

Beatrix was the eldest of four daughters. Her younger sisters were Princess Irene (born 1939), Princess Margriet (born 1943), and Princess Christina (born 1947).

Childhood During the Second World War

On May 10, 1940, Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands during the Second World War. The Dutch royal family was forced to leave the country and seek refuge in Britain.

After spending a short period in London, Princess Juliana traveled to Ottawa, Canada, with Beatrix and her younger sister Irene. Queen Wilhelmina remained in London, where she led the Dutch government in exile. Prince Bernhard also spent much of the war in Britain.

During their years in Canada, Beatrix attended nursery and primary school, including Rockcliffe Park Public School in Ottawa.

Her younger sister, Princess Margriet, was born in Ottawa on January 19, 1943.

Following the liberation of the Netherlands, the royal family returned to the country in August 1945.

Education

After returning to the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix continued her primary education at De Werkplaats, a school founded by Dutch educational reformer Kees Boeke in Bilthoven.

In 1950, she entered the Incrementum section of Baarns Lyceum, where she completed her secondary education in 1956.

She subsequently enrolled at Leiden University, studying sociology, economics, parliamentary history, constitutional law, and legal studies.

Her university education also included international relations, international law, European law, and the cultures of Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles.

In 1959, she passed her preliminary law examination. She graduated from Leiden University in 1961 with a combined degree in law and other subjects, including sociology and economics.

Becoming Crown Princess

On September 4, 1948, Queen Wilhelmina abdicated the Dutch throne in favor of her daughter Queen Juliana. At the age of ten, Queen Beatrix became the heir presumptive to the Dutch throne.

As Crown Princess, she gradually assumed royal responsibilities and represented the Dutch royal family at official events and international engagements.

Marriage to Claus von Amsberg

In 1965, Queen Beatrix announced her engagement to German diplomat Claus von Amsberg. The couple married on March 10, 1966, in Amsterdam.

The marriage attracted public controversy in the Netherlands because of Claus's German nationality and his membership in Nazi youth organizations during the Second World War. He had served in the German army during the final stages of the war.

Before the marriage, Dutch historian Loe de Jong examined Claus's wartime activities at the government's request and concluded that there were no grounds for criticism of his personal conduct during the war.

Nevertheless, protesters demonstrated in Amsterdam during the wedding ceremony. After the marriage, Claus received the title Prince of the Netherlands.

The couple had three sons: Willem-Alexander (born 1967), Prince Friso (1968–2013), and Prince Constantijn (born 1969).

Prince Claus died on October 6, 2002, at the age of 76.

Queen of the Netherlands (1980–2013)

On April 30, 1980, Queen Juliana voluntarily abdicated after nearly 32 years as monarch. Her eldest daughter, Queen Beatrix, succeeded her at the age of 42.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. Beatrix became the reigning monarch under the constitutional monarchy of the Netherlands.

During her reign, she carried out constitutional and ceremonial duties, received foreign heads of state, and represented the Netherlands at national and international events.

Her reign included changes to the monarch's constitutional role. In 2012, responsibility for initiating the formation of new Dutch governments passed from the monarch to the House of Representatives.

Beatrix remained queen until April 30, 2013, completing exactly 33 years on the throne.

Abdication and Later Life

On January 28, 2013, shortly before her 75th birthday, Queen Beatrix announced that she would abdicate in favor of her eldest son, Willem-Alexander.

She formally signed the instrument of abdication on April 30, 2013, ending her 33-year reign. Willem-Alexander became the first king of the Netherlands since the death of King William III in 1890.

Following her abdication, Beatrix resumed the title Princess Beatrix. She continued participating in selected public engagements and activities associated with the Dutch royal family.

In 2014, she returned to live at Drakensteyn Castle in Lage Vuursche, where she had lived with her family before becoming queen.

Family

Father: Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld (1911–2004)
Mother: Queen Juliana (1909–2004)
Grandmother: Queen Wilhelmina (1880–1962)
Sister: Princess Irene (Born 1939)
Sister: Princess Margriet (Born 1943)
Sister: Princess Christina (1947–2019)
Husband: Prince Claus von Amsberg (1926–2002; Married 1966)
Son: King Willem-Alexander (Born 1967)
Son: Prince Friso (1968–2013)
Son: Prince Constantijn (Born 1969)

Royal Titles and Reign

1938–1948 - Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands
1948–1980 - Crown Princess of the Netherlands
April 30, 1980 – April 30, 2013 - Queen of the Netherlands
April 30, 2013 – Present - Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands

Source: Biyografiler.com