Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander Set To Become King

Queen Beatrix is abdicating

AMSTERDAM — The streets of Amsterdam began to turn orange Monday in honor of the Netherlands' ruling House of Oranje-Nassau, as officials prepare for a once-in-a-generation rotation of royal titles — and the rest of the country gets ready to party.

National broadcaster NOS reported that Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his family were in the Royal Palace on the city's central Dam square Monday morning, rehearsing protocols for the ceremonies Tuesday in which Queen Beatrix will abdicate, Willem-Alexander becomes king and his 9-year-old daughter Princess Catharina-Amalia becomes crown princess.