The former Dutch queen Beatrix turned 85 on Tuesday but will not have a big family celebration because her son, King Willem-Alexander, is in Aruba on a family trip.
The king and his wife Máxima are accompanying their daughter, Crown Princess Amalia, 19, on her first official visit to the kingdom’s six Caribbean islands.
The royal court had published photos on its website’s homepage and social media in honour of Beatrix, but did not disclose how she would spend the day.
Beatrix was queen of the Netherlands from 1980 to 2013.
Since her abdication, she again bears the title of princess, but still regularly engages in official appointments.
On Wednesday, for example, she will represent her son at the national commemoration of a devastating storm surge in the south-west of the country 70 years ago.
In the capital of Aruba, Oranjestad, the royal family received an enthusiastic welcome as many children stood at the roadside with flags.
The family planned to visit the Arikok National Park, a university and a football academy, according to the court.
They will finish up the day at a festival, celebrating with local residents with food, music and dance.
