Beatrix of the Netherlands

Reign: 1980 – 2013
Life: b. 1938

Beatrix attended a public primary school in Canada during World War II, and then finished her primary and secondary education in the Netherlands in the post-war period. In 1961, she received her law degree from Leiden University. In 1966, Beatrix married Claus von Amsberg, a German diplomat, with whom she had three children. Beatrix's reign saw the country's Caribbean territories reshaped with Aruba's secession and becoming its own constituent country within the kingdom in 1986. This was followed by the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, which created the new special municipalities of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, and the two new constituent countries of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. At the time of her abdication at age 75, Beatrix was the oldest reigning monarch in the country's history.

During Beatrix of the Netherlands' reign, Juan Carlos I of Spain ruled Spain, Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden ruled Sweden, and Elizabeth II ruled Great Britain.

Want to learn more? Further reading

The Pursuit of Power: Europe 1815–1914 by Richard J. Evans

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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The Pursuit of Power: Europe 1815–1914

Richard J. Evans

Beatrix and the modern Dutch crown, constitutional monarchy in a changing Europe.

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