Visibly emotional, the much-loved Beatrix ended her reign in a nationally televised signing ceremony as thousands of orange-clad people cheered outside. Millions more were expected to watch on television.
King Willem-Alexander, who became the youngest monarch in Europe, gripped his mother's hand and looked briefly into her eyes after they both signed the abdication document in the Royal Palace on downtown Amsterdam's Dam Square.
Beatrix looked close to tears as she then appeared on a balcony, decked out with tulips, roses and oranges, overlooking some 20,000 of her subjects.
The 46-year-old father of three's popular wife became Queen Maxima and their eldest daughter, Catharina-Amalia, became Princess of Orange and first in line to the throne. The former queen becomes Princess Beatrix and her son becomes the first Dutch king since Willem III died in 1890.
The day is to be a huge party culminating in a boat trip by the new king and queen but security also was tight with thousands of police on duty whilst the airspace above Amsterdam was closed for three days. In 2009, the Queen and many senior members of the royal family were targeted in a car attack during Queen's Day in Apeldoorn. Eight people died, including the attacker, in the incident.
Royal guests from 18 countries are attending, including Britain's Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, and the Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako. Charles was also in attendance when Beatrix was crowned in 1980.
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