You may have heard about Prinsjesdag. But what exactly is it, and why is it so important?
WHAT IS PRINSJESDAG?
Prinsjesdag, or Prince’s Day , takes place every year on the third Tuesday of September. It marks the official opening of the Dutch parlimentary year. On this day, King Alexander delivers the Troonrede, (King’s Speech) at the Koninklijke Schouwburg (Royal Theatre) in The Hague, in the presence of members of both the Senate amd the House of Representatives.
the royal procession and Troonrede
King Willem-Alexander, and Queen Maxima, Princess Alexia, and other members of the royal family depart from Noordeinde palace in the Glazen Koets, (Glass Carriage) to the Royal Theatre. Once there, the king delivers the Troonrede, outlining the governmemt’s main plans for the upcoming year.
After the speech, the royal family returns to Noordeinde palace, where they appear on the balcony for the traditional balcony scene, waiving to the gathered crowd.
Budget presentation
Later in the afternoon, the Minister of Finance, presents the Miljoenennota (Budget Memorandum) and the national budget to the House of Representatives in the iconic briefcase. This document details the government’s financial plans for the comig year.
why is it significant?
For Dutch politics, Prinsjesdag is crucial, as it sets the tone for the political and economic direction of the country.
Prinsjesdag offers a unique blend of royal tradition and political importance.