The royal family marked Prinsjesdag in The Hague

The Dutch royal family marked Prinsjesdag on Tuesday 15 September, the day the parliamentary year opens in the Netherlands. King Willem-Alexander delivered the Speech from the Throne to the Senate and the House of Representatives in The Hague.

The royal family on the balcony of Noordeinde Palace after the Speech from the Throne. Photo: The Dutch Royal House

• The whole family took part

Queen Máxima, Crown Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia, Princess Ariane, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien all attended the Joint Session.

The King and Queen on arrival. Photo: The Dutch Royal House From the left, Princess Laurentien, Prince Constantijn, Princess Ariane, Princess Alexia and Crown Princess Amalia in the hall. Photo: The Dutch Royal House

• The Speech from the Throne

The King opened the speech by pointing out that 15 September has been designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Democracy. He said this gives Prinsjesdag extra lustre, but also reminds us that democracy requires continuous protection and maintenance.

"Democracy is not a flat sum, but a mentality that must live in each of us," the King said. He added that democracy should unite people, not play them off against each other.

King Willem-Alexander delivered the Speech from the Throne. Photo: The Dutch Royal House

In the speech the government set out its plans for the 2027 budget. The themes included nitrogen emissions and the situation of farmers, the housing shortage, asylum policy, health care, defence, and climate and energy policy.

The King described the housing shortage as acute, and noted that far too many people are wondering how they, or their children, are to find a home they can afford. This autumn the government will present an action plan with fifty concrete measures to speed up housebuilding.

He also referred to the extremely dry summer of 2026, saying it underlines the need for an ambitious climate policy both nationally and internationally. The government is continuing its work on nuclear power, offshore wind, hydrogen and CO2 storage.

On security, the King said the world around the Netherlands has become more unstable and unpredictable, referring to the war in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza and Iran. The 2027 budget again sets aside considerably more money for defence.

• The outfits

Queen Máxima wore the sash and star of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion with an off-white taffeta silk skirt and a black blouse.

Crown Princess Amalia in a dress and cape by Rachel Gilbert. Photo: The Dutch Royal House

Crown Princess Amalia wore an olive-green dress with a matching cape by Rachel Gilbert. Princess Alexia wore a long green dress with a two-piece cape by Reiss, and Princess Ariane wore a ruby-red dress in wool crepe with an embroidered cape by Jan Taminiau. All three wore the sash and star of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.

Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane. Photo: The Dutch Royal House

• About Prinsjesdag

Prinsjesdag is held every year on the third Tuesday of September and marks the start of the new parliamentary year. After the Speech from the Throne, the finance minister presents the national budget to the House of Representatives.

The Speech from the Throne was delivered in the Ridderzaal at the Binnenhof in The Hague from 1904, but since 2022 it has been held at the Koninklijke Schouwburg while the Binnenhof is being renovated.

The name Prinsjesdag was originally used for the birthday of Stadtholder Prince Willem V, which was celebrated on 8 March. From the 1930s the name came to be used for the opening day of parliament itself.

After the Speech from the Throne the royal family went to Noordeinde Palace, where they appeared on the balcony as tradition dictates.