Queen Beatrix to stand down; the Netherlands will have a king

[Oberon]

Impressive.

Originally Posted by Red October1984

I didn't even know there was a Dutch Monarchy.

Only since 1813, before that the Netherlands were first a part of the Holy Roman Empire, then as part of the Seventeen Provinces (which included Belgium, Luxembourg and parts of modern day France and Germany) which themselves were an semi-autonomous part of the Spanish Empire, which then fought a war for independence from Spain (The Eighty Years war) and achieved it.
Between 1648 and 1785 the United Provinces became a major European and world power, settling colonies all over the place, including America (New Amsterdam which became New York after we swapped it for some islands in the East Indies) and Asia. They were a thriving merchant republic, establishing some of the first stock markets and economic practices that are in use today including the first recording economic 'bubble'
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania).
Then came the American revolution, inspired by it several groups rose up in Holland wanting a more democratic nation, the Head of State used British and Prussian forces to try and put down the uprisings, which were eventually dissolved after a confused and bloody period...however next door in France the ruling elite were not so lucky and the French revolution took place, seeing their 'Dutch brothers' being slaughtered in the name of the revolution the French brought an army up and invaded the United Provinces, dissolving the Dutch government and making it a de facto puppet of France known as the 'Batavian Republic', which lasted until the era of Napoleon who turned it into a monarchy, and gave it to his brother to rule, his brother promptly betrayed him so Napoleon just put the whole thing back into the French empire until his defeat at the hands of the 'Great Powers' who then decided to reshape the Netherlands into its current form and elevate the exiled republican leader to a monarch, and thus the Dutch monarchy and the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was born.

Then, of course, the whole Belgium thing happened, which I don't think Holland has really gotten over to this day.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Then, of course, the whole Belgium thing happened, which I don't think Holland has really gotten over to this day.

Something happened in Belgium?

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

Something happened in Belgium?

Yes, Belgium did.

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Impressive.



Only since 1813, ...

Yup, we've got a anniversary coming up too. Which she said was part of the reason for calling it an end.

[Jimbuna]

Spent three pleasant years residing in the land of windmills and imaginary mountains but always wondered why the royal apartments in Damrak Square were next to the red light district

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Spent three pleasant years residing in the land of windmills and imaginary mountains but always wondered why the royal apartments in Damrak Square were next to the red light district

Probably the same reason that Soho is a short bus ride from Westminster.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Probably the same reason that Soho is a short bus ride from Westminster.

Behave yersel