Willem-Alexander and his wife, Maxima, celebrate his birthday

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King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands is celebrating his 48th birthday
Took part in a water-borne procession along a canal in Dordrecht
Was joined by his glamorous wife, Queen Maxima, and their daughters
The 43-year-old Queen was resplendent in a cheerful raspberry get-up
King's Day - or Koningsdag - is a national holiday in the Netherlands
Celebrations include 'King's Parties' and eating lots of tompouce pastries

Published: 09:08 EST, 27 April 2015 | Updated: 09:18 EST, 27 April 2015

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There were scenes of jubilation in the Dutch city of Dordrecht today, as flag-waving locals turned out to welcome King Willem-Alexander and his glamorous wife Maxima today.

The visit, which kicked off with a pageant aboard a flotilla of boats on the local canal, was part of Willem-Alexander's 48th birthday celebrations.

Koningsdag - or King's Day - is a public holiday in the Netherlands and is traditionally marked with a royal procession either in the capital Amsterdam or in one of the country's major cities.

Happy family: The Dutch royals celebrated King Willem-Alexander's birthday in Dordrecht

Warm welcome: The Dutch royal couple were all smiles as they meet well-wishers in the trading city

Today, it was the turn of Dordrecht, a city in the south-west of the country, which was once a major trading port, as well as a military hub.

Signs of its martial past were thin on the ground today, however, with the streets filled with a sea of joyful humanity, most of whom cheered and waved as the royals floated past.

Taking centre stage was Argentina-born Queen Maxima, who opted for a typically eye-catching ensemble of a raspberry pink coat and hat enlivened with a pair of chunky crystal earrings.

Also aboard the royal barge, the Dordtevaar, were the couple's three daughters: Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, 11, Princess Alexia, nine, and Princess Ariane, eight.

Willem-Alexander's brother Prince Constantijn, 45, was also aboard, as was his 48-year-old wife, Princess Laurentien, who opted for a tailored dress in patriotic bright orange.

Is that it? Eldest daughter Princess Catharina-Amalia, 11, cuddles up to her mother during the event

Round of applause: The Queen and the princesses join in with a round of applause for Willem-Alexander

Big arrival: The couple and their three daughters travelled through the city by barge

Family affair: The couple was joined by Prince Constantijn and his wife Laurentien who wore bright orange

Looking good: Maxima looked wonderful in her summery raspberry pink get-up

Matching: The Dutch queen completed her look with a slick of bright pink lipstick and chunky earrings

All smiles: The 43-year-old appeared to be enjoying the occasion and smiled brightly throughout

Echoing their parents and uncle, all three girls smiled and waved at the crowds, most of whom seemed to be enjoying the bright spring sunshine while watching the procession go past.

Others used the royal day off to make some extra money, with one enterprising soul setting up a stand that offered selfies with cardboard versions of the Dutch royals for €1 apiece.

Koningsdag is a long-standing Dutch tradition that began in 1890 with Queen Wilhelmina who celebrated her birthday on the 31st August.

When her daughter Juliana became Queen, the date was moved to the 30th April - a tradition maintained by her daughter Beatrix, even though her real birthday is the 31st January.

Since April 2013, when Willem-Alexander took the throne following his mother's abdication, the holiday has taken place his birthday, the 27th April.

The celebrations, which kick off the night before with King's Parties, also include vrijmarkts - flea markets - in most towns and mass consumption of a delicious orange pastry called the tompouce.