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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima bid farewell to guests after final royal gathering

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The new monarch, King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima hosted a brunch in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam on Wednesday.After two days of national celebrations the youngest king and queen in Europe brought their guests together for a final and informal gathering over brunch, for which Maxima chose a pink coat-dress with matching earrings, clutch and shoes. Afterwards, they emerged at the doors of the Royal Palace to wave goodbye to their guests – royals who had travelled from 18 countries all over the world to be there to welcome Willem-Alexander and Maxima to the throne – with their three daughters Amalia, 9, Alexia,7, and Ariane,6.

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Amalia, now the Princess of Orange, and her younger sisters were back in their casual clothes after the whirlwind events when the three were dressed in matching cobat blue dresses, among other smart outfits. Following the brunch, the new king began his first day of work as Head of State of the Netherlands. It is the beginning of his role now that he has taken the reigns from his mother, Queen Beatrix, who abdicated on Tuesday after 33 years on the throne. Willem-Alexander is the Netherlands' first king in over 120 years.The first official appearance of Willem-Alexander, 46, and Maxima, his Queen consort, is expected to take place on Saturday 4 May when they will be alongside Prime Minister Mark Rutte in a memorial for Dutch soldiers lost during World War II.

Apart from the warm welcome they have received from the many princes and princesses that attended the inauguration – and the tens of thousands of well-wishers who lined the river IJ as the royal family travelled on the king's boat in the water pageant – the young monarchs have received a special message from the US President. "On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I congratulate His Majesty Willem-Alexander on the occasion of his investiture as King of the Netherlands, and we wish the very best to him and Queen Maxima as they assume their new roles," said Barack Obama.

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