Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands - in pictures

Queen Beatrix is showered with streamers and confetti during Queen's Day in Veenendaal on 30 April 2012 Photograph: Robin Utrecht/AFP/Getty Images

A two year old Princess Beatrix with her younger sister Princess Irene on 4 March 1940 Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Madame van Swinderen points out London barrage balloons to Princess Juliana, pushing the pram, and Princess Beatrix in May 1940. the Dutch Royal family fled to London on the outbreak of the second world war in the Netherlands Photograph: A. Cook/Getty Images

An official portrait of the Dutch Royal family from September 1948 showing the newly inaugurated Queen Juliana, Prince Bernhard and their four daughters. Beatrix is far right Photograph: Hulton-Deutsch/Corbis

Princess Margrethe, later Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, and Princess Beatrix, pose together at Gråsten Palace in Jutland, Denmark, on 31 July 1954 Photograph: Keystone/Getty Images

Crown Princess Beatrix, with her then fiance, Claus Von Amsberg, a West German diplomat, on 28 June 1965 Photograph: Bettmann/Corbis

Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus leave the Savoy Hotel in London, 15 June 1968 Photograph: Reginald Davis/Rex Features

Princess Beatrix in the grounds of Drakensteyn, 15 June 1975 Photograph: Reginald Davis/Rex Features

Crown Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands is crowned Queen following the abdication of Queen Juliana on 30 April 1980. Prince Claus (1926-2002) is at her side Photograph: Fox Photos/Getty Images

Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Queen Beatrix in the grounds of Huis Ten Bosch Palace in the Hague, on 15 June 1982 Photograph: Reginald Davis/Rex Features

Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by Queen Beatrix on her arrival at Rotterdam airport, Netherlands on 5 February 2007 Photograph: Robin Utrecht/AP

The Netherlands' World Cup team poses with Queen Beatrix at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague on 13 July 2010 Photograph: Rob Keeris/AP

Queen Beatrix with Princess Maxima, Prince Willem-Alexander and their daughters Princess Alexia, Princess Amalia and Princess Ariane during a summer holiday in Tavernelle, Italy on 4 July 2011 Photograph: Frank Van Beek/AFP/Getty Images

Queen Beatrix looks out from the Golden Carriage as she leaves Noordeinde Palace for a ride to the Ridderzaal in The Hague on Prince's Day on 18 September 2012 Photograph: Koen Van Weel/AFP/Getty Images