Queen Beatrix is to address the Netherlands on television and radio at 19.00 hours on Monday, the state information service RVD said.

The subject matter of the broadcast has not been made public but speculation is mounting that the queen will announce her abdication in favour of her son Willem-Alexander.

Beatrix turns 75 on January 31. Her mother, Juliana, abdicated in favour of her daughter on her 71st birthday.

The speech was apparently recorded on Monday afternoon, Nos television said.

After the queen’s speech, prime minister Mark Rutte will make a statement on television, the RVD said.