Are you sitting down? Are you ready for this news? Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is abdicating her throne in favor of her son, Prince Willem-Alexander. Regarding her (relatively) surprising decision, the 74-year-old monarch said simply that "the responsibility for our nation should now rest in the hands of a new generation."
Not only did this news prompt us to learn a fun new word ("abdicating") and a fun fact (there is a Dutch royal family), it inspired us to take a look back at our favorite royals, both on-screen (e.g., Cate as Elizabeth, Princess Buttercup, Jasmine) and in real life (Kate, Noor, Rania, Elizabeth II, Letizia). Enjoy!
Oh, and if we've made any glaring omissions, help us out in the comments.
[1] Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth I, [2] Princess Jasmine, [3] Grace Kelly, [4] Queen Beatrix, [5] Princess Margaret, [6] Princess Diana, [7] Kirsten Dunst as Marie Antoinette, [8] Charlotte Casiraghi, [9] Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala, [10] Robyn Wright as Princess Buttercup, [11] Queen Elizabeth II, [12] Letizia Ortiz, Princess of Asturias, [13] Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, [14] Emily Blunt as Queen Victoria, [15] Queen Noor, [16] Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen of Hearts, [17] Queen Rania, [18] Queen Grimhilde from Snow White.
