Royally good style! Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, 79, looks chic in a cape and block heels as she opens an exhibition in Tilburg

  • Former Queen opened the WeerZien jubilee exhibition at the Museum de Pont
  • Beatrix, 79, met with museum staff as well as British sculptor Anish Kapoor
  • Sprightly royal wore a vibrant blue dress with a black wool cape and gloves 
  • The monarch abdicated to son Willem-Alexander after 33 years on the throne

She may be pushing 80, but Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands showed she has no intention of slowing down when she stepped out for an official engagement in Tilburg.

The former Dutch Queen, who abdicated in 2013, was in the city of Tilburg on Saturday to officially open the WeerZien jubilee exhibition at the Museum de Pont.

Beatrix, who is mother to now-King Willem-Alexander, looked far younger than her 79 years as she donned a jaunty blue dress and patent heels, sheltering from the blustery conditions with a stylish black cape and leather gloves.

Scroll down for video 

Princess Beatrix, who abdicated as Queen in 2013, was in the city of Tilburg on Saturday to officially open the WeerZien jubilee exhibition at the Museum de Pon

Princess Beatrix, who abdicated as Queen in 2013, was in the city of Tilburg on Saturday to officially open the WeerZien jubilee exhibition at the Museum de Pon

Despite the unseasonable conditions, Beatrix, who was also sporting a hint of blue eyeshadow, looked to be in excellent spirits as she met with museum officials including founder Jos de Pont.

During her visit on Saturday, Beatrix also met with British artist Anish Kapoor as he unveiled his new 6m mirrored sculpture.

The glamorous royal, whose husband Prince Claus died in 2002, stepped down as monarch in 2013 following a 33-year reign, taking the title Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands. 

Queen of style! Beatrix, who is mother to now-King Willem-Alexander, looked far younger than her 79 years as she donned a jaunty blue dress and patent heels, keeping warm in a cape

Queen of style! Beatrix, who is mother to now-King Willem-Alexander, looked far younger than her 79 years as she donned a jaunty blue dress and patent heels, keeping warm in a cape

During her visit on Saturday, Beatrix also met with British artist Anish Kapoor (pictured) as he unveiled his new 6m mirrored sculpture (background)

During her visit on Saturday, Beatrix also met with British artist Anish Kapoor (pictured) as he unveiled his new 6m mirrored sculpture (background)

Major change: The former Queen was succeeded by her son, King Willem-Alexander and his wife, Queen Máxima, and now lives in the Drakensteyn Castle near Lage Vuursche

Major change: The former Queen was succeeded by her son, King Willem-Alexander and his wife, Queen Máxima, and now lives in the Drakensteyn Castle near Lage Vuursche

Princess Beatrix, who was also sporting a hint of blue eyeshadow, looked to be in excellent spirits as she met with museum officials including founder Jos de Pont (pictured)

Princess Beatrix, who was also sporting a hint of blue eyeshadow, looked to be in excellent spirits as she met with museum officials including founder Jos de Pont (pictured)

The glamorous royal, whose husband Prince Claus died in 2002, stepped down as monarch in 2013 following a 33-year reign, taking the title Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands

The glamorous royal, whose husband Prince Claus died in 2002, stepped down as monarch in 2013 following a 33-year reign, taking the title Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands

She was succeeded by her son, King Willem-Alexander and his wife, Queen Máxima, and now lives in the Drakensteyn Castle near the village of Lage Vuursche, occasionally undertaking official engagements. 

Willem-Alexander was officially sworn in as king of the Netherlandsm - the country's first male rule since 1890 - at a colourful ceremony in Nieuwe Kerk attended by 2,000 visitors from around the world.

In an emotional tribute to Beatrix, he said:'Dear mother, today you relinquished the throne. 33 years moving and inspiring years. We are intensely, intensely grateful to you.'