Queen Wilhelmina abdicates and is succeeded by her daughter Juliana. After her wartime experience in London, whence she exerted considerable personal influence on affairs of state, she cherishes expectations of a new constitution extending the powers of the monarchy. However, post-war events prove disappointing and on 4 September 1948 she abdicates in favour of her daughter Juliana. It is fifty years to the day since the start of her reign.
