Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (C) arrives on April 29, 2013 with her son Prince Willem-Alexander (R) and his wife Princess Maxima to attend a dinner at the National Museum (Rijksmuseum) in Amsterdam on the eve of her abdication. [Xinhua/AFP]

After 33 years on the throne Dutch Queen Beatrix abdicated in favor of her son Willem-Alexander on Tuesday.

After the Queen gave a short adress at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, she signed an abdication statement in presence of the Presidents of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Council of Ministers and the Kingdom's governors and other guests.

Beatrix was succeeded by her 46-year-old eldest son new King Willem-Alexander.

Nearly a million join the street party with dancing to bands and DJs helping create a carnival atmosphere. As always, there will be people on the pavements setting up traditional makeshift bric-a-brac stalls.

Britain's Prince Charles and Japan's Crown Princess Masako are among 2,000 visitors at the official ceremony.

On her last evening as queen, Beatrix was set to hold a banquet in the newly renovated Rijksmuseum.

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