Willem-Alexander was sworn in as the first Dutch king in more than 120 years on Tuesday after his mother , Queen Beatrix , abdicated the throne , ending 33 years as the country 's monarch . The 75-year-old monarch handed over power in a constitutionally ordained ceremony in the Mozes Hall of the royal palace in Amsterdam . The transfer became official as she signed the `` instrument of abdication '' that means she will now be known as Princess Beatrix . Cheers erupted from crowds gathered outside the palace who were watching proceedings on a big screen as the queen signed the document . CNN 's Max Foster reported that many in the Netherlands had been partying well into the night . Thousands of well-wishers , many of them wearing orange wigs , T-shirts and hats , flooded down Damrak towards the center of the city . Lots of flags were waving , saying `` Dag Beatrix '' on one side and `` Hallo Willem-Alexander '' on the other . Church bells rang out across the city as the family appeared on the balcony of the royal palace and people in the square waved flags and blew horns . `` I 'm happy and grateful to present you your new King Willem-Alexander , '' Beatrix told the crowd . King Willem-Alexander told the crowd he was `` grateful for your confidence and support '' as he started his reign and thanked his mother for `` 33 touching and inspiring years . '' iReport : Happy faces as crowds applaud new king . Beatrix stepped down on the national holiday known as Queen 's Day , an opportunity for people across the Netherlands to dress up and party . The investiture during which the new king took the oath of office before a joint session of parliament was the high point of a year of celebrations marking the end of the Napoleonic occupation in 1813 . Before taking his oath , the king thanked his mother for the `` many beautiful years during which she was our queen . '' `` Dear mother , he said , `` remained calm in difficult times and stayed her course , '' he said . `` I 'm treading in your footsteps but no one knows what the future brings , '' he said . The king swore `` to preserve the independence and territory of the kingdom to the best of my ability ... so help me God . '' Beatrix announced her abdication in January , saying it was time for a new generation to lead . `` I have always considered it as an extraordinary privilege to be able to put a big part of my life at the service of our country and in accordance with my task to add substance to my kingship , '' said Beatrix , who acceded to the throne when her mother , Queen Juliana , abdicated in 1980 . `` Until today , this beautiful task has given me a lot of satisfaction . It is inspiring to feel close to people , to sympathize in grievances and share times of joy and national pride . '' The Dutch media has speculated that the queen was abdicating to spend more time with her second son Friso , who was injured in an avalanche at an Austrian ski resort last year . He remains in a coma in a London hospital . In a televised address Monday night , Beatrix said she knew the new royal couple would have the loving trust of the nation . `` My oldest son will now take over a beautiful task which is filled with great responsibility , '' she said . `` I am absolutely convinced that Willem-Alexander will be committed in faithful devotion to be a good king and to do what a good King is asked to do . '' A king for the 21st century . The 46-year-old new king was educated in Wales and Holland , where he earned a history degree at Leiden University . He served in the Dutch Royal Navy from 1985 to 1987 . As Prince of Orange -- the title given to the person first in line to the Dutch throne -- he was interested in sustainability and innovation . He is married to Máxima , who was born in Buenos Aires , Argentina . She has a degree in economics and has worked for HSBC and Deutsche Bank . The couple have been married for 11 years and have three daughters . Last week , the couple gave their first joint TV interview in which Willem set out how he intended to rule . `` I want to be a king who is first of all traditional , built on the tradition of my predecessors , who stands for continuity and also for stability in the country ... but also a king who in the 21st century can bind together and represent society as a whole . '' Asked how he intended to do that , Willem told the NOS state broadcaster : `` By being present where you think people need support or help , by giving extra attention and presence to worthwhile events and by supporting people who are in need . '' Notable absence . One notable absence at Tuesday 's ceremony was the new queen 's father , Jorge Zorreguieta , who was a minister during the 1976-1983 Argentinian military dictatorship . Maxima said her family would not attend her swearing-in as queen because of her father 's controversial past . `` This is a constitutional event , when my husband becomes king and my father does n't belong there , especially if there are issues , '' the princess told NOS . `` He remains my father , we still enjoy our private moments . '' READ MORE : Why Elizabeth is n't abdicating .
Willem-Alexander is first Dutch king in more than 120 years . He became monarch after his 75-year-old mother abdicated . Beatrix may have abdicated to be with son , who 's in coma . New queen 's father , a former Argentinian minister , will miss investiture .