Editing Beatrix of the Netherlands (section)

==Accession and inauguration==

[[File:Prinses Beatrix bezoekt Ridderkerk koppen, Bestanddeelnr 253-8164.jpg|thumb|upright|Princess Beatrix at [[Ridderkerk]], February 1980]]

[[File:Troonswisseling 30 april , Koningin Beatrix tijdens eedsaflegging (Beatrix, clos, Bestanddeelnr 930-8081.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Beatrix during her inauguration in the [[Nieuwe Kerk (Amsterdam)|Nieuwe Kerk]], 1980]]

From the 1970s, Beatrix began to prepare more intensively for her future position as head of state. She made many trips abroad with Prince Claus, including a controversial one to the Soviet Union.

After [[Lockheed bribery scandals#The Netherlands|the Lockheed affair]], Beatrix and Claus began to delve into the royal household and made plans to adapt it. In addition, they asked advisers to prepare for Beatrix's reign. On 31 January 1980, the birthday of her eldest daughter and heiress presumptive, Queen Juliana announced during a live television speech that she wished to abdicate on 30 April in favor of her daughter Beatrix.

That Beatrix would succeed her mother as queen was not a matter of course when she was born. It was not until 1983 that the Constitution was amended in such a way that the eldest child of the head of state becomes the legal heir to the throne. Until then, it had been arranged that the eldest son always had priority over a daughter. It was only after it was clear that Juliana was biologically unable to have any more children, let alone a son, that Beatrix was certain that she was the intended successor.

On 30 April 1980, Juliana abdicated, and Beatrix became the 13th member of the House of Orange to reign over the Netherlands. She was [[Inauguration of Beatrix|sworn in and inaugurated]] as monarch during a joint session of the two chambers of the States General at a ceremony held in the [[Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam|Nieuwe Kerk]] in Amsterdam later that day.