Former Dutch queen dies

Former Dutch Queen Juliana, who presided over the dismantling of the centuries-old Dutch empire and witnessed the birth of a social revolution during her 31-year reign of the Netherlands, died today at the age of 94.

Juliana, who has been away from public life for years, passed away shortly before 6am, the government announced.

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende was due to address the nation in a live television broadcast, a statement said.