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Zeer Oranje!

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As some might have heard in the news this year is going to be very special one for the House of Orange.  At the end of January Queen Beatrix announced that she would abdicate the throne to allow her son Willem-Alexander to ascend to the throne.  This event will take place on April 30, 2013.  He will be the first Dutch king since 1890. 

What does this mean for the Netherlands?  Well for an American outside of Holland the most obvious change will be spring time in the Netherlands.  Queen's Day will be no more!  Instead starting next year, the new Orange holiday will be King's Day; held on April 27, Willem-Alexander's birthday.  King's Day next year is on a Sunday so the party will be held on Saturday April 26.  This year's party will surround the coronation of Prince Willem-Alexander. It seems there are some very Orange years ahead of us! 
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