Willem-Alexander Sworn In As New Netherlands Monarch
ANDERSON: A sunset cruise through Amsterdam's iconic canals, that is how the new king of The Netherlands spent his first evening as monarch. Willem-Alexander was sworn in as the first Dutch king in more than 120 years. Earlier today he takes over from his mother Queen Beatrix who abdicated after 33 years on the throne. This is Connect the World live from London. I'm Becky Anderson. Now Beatrix will now be known as princess, a step down on what is a national holiday in The Netherlands. And CNN's royal correspondent Max Foster is in Amsterdam helping celebrate the day -- Max.</s>MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, the sound of dance music is echoing around Amsterdam tonight, Becky. Really spectacular day ending with a water pageant and really a day to remember for the Dutch.</s>FOSTER: The bells tolling at the royal palace here in Amsterdam signifying the fact that inside the queen has just signed a piece of paper, the instrument of abdication, which turns her into a princess and her son into a king. What we're waiting for next is for King Willem-Alexander to appear on that balcony behind me for the very first time. (on camera): Well, this is it, King Willem-Alexander appearing for the first time on the balcony of the royal palace here in Amsterdam. (voice-over): The first Dutch king in more than a century made his way steadily into Amsterdam's De Nieuwe Kerk, The New Church, for his investiture in a specially convened joint session of parliament. At his side, his queen Maxima, an Argentinean-born former banker. Her controversial family left uninvited. Her father was associated with the dictatorship. But most of the world's royal heirs were here.</s>CROWD: Long live the king.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a time and a celebration of a new king. It's a moment that in Holland many people, yeah, look forward to it.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I like Maxima, because she's a very warm person and she's changed the king. She's a very good mother.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Our king and queen are really perfect. We're very proud, proud on them. We're very proud.</s>FOSTER: Well, it has been a seamlessly organized day of events culminating of this at the water pageant. This king does have a lot to live up to. All three of his predecessors were very popular. They all abdicated before old age. And they were all women. He has got off to a good start, though, he does seem to have full public support.</s>FOSTER: Lots of people asking the question will other monarchs follow in the footsteps of The Dutch. Actually it's a tradition here, it isn't a tradition in other countries. But perhaps the likes of Queen Elizabeth or Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Becky, can hand over more responsibility to their heirs than they would have done in the past. That's an option for them now, probably.</s>ANDERSON: I was just wondering whether Prince Charles was sort of humming, "anything you can do I can do better." I don't know. Anyway, you've got an orange tie on. Is that what they usually called Queens Day, right? It's always been called queens day this day. And it's always a big clubbing day for the youngsters out in Amsterdam. If you're going out, I suggest you take off that tie. It's very -- it's lovely, it's nice. It's orange to go with -- but if you're going out.</s>FOSTER: This is my token gesture, really. The option was a wig, an orange wig or, you know -- you know Paul our camera man, he has a whole shebang on. You can't see him. But I stuck to the tie. I thought it was a good compromise. But, yeah, clubbing maybe...</s>ANDERSON: It's not going to work. Lovely. Thank you for that. Great day in Amsterdam for the royal family there and for our Max Foster, your royal correspondent. The latest world news headlines, of course, are up after this. Plus, what's behind the latest surge in violence in Iraq. We're going to get some perspective from a UN special envoy. And we think she is one of the world's Leading Women and we are about to find out why -- find out who and what inspired Beyonce. And one club is minutes away from clinching its spot in the Champion's League final. Let me tell you, this is an exciting game. We are live in Madrid with the latest, with the result. Dortmund-Real, that coming up later in the show.