Yesterday, September 16, was Prinsjesdag (Prince’s Day)! It is held every year on the third Tuesday of September. This year is special, but only in the sense that the Koninkrijk exists for 200 years, and thus all traditions of this day were held for the 200th time. Koning Willem-Alexander read out the troonrede (throne speech, or speech from the throne) in the Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights) in Den Haag (The Hague). The day is about the begroting (budget) for the coming year, and the long-term ideas of the regering (government). However, in the troonrede, the koning also emphasized the unstable situations in the world, and that they should not find roots in the Netherlands. After the speech, as tradition so desires, the speaker of the Eerste Kamer (the First Chamber: the Dutch Senate) shouts “leve de koning!” (Long live the king!) upon which everybody present responds “Hoera! Hoera! Hoera!) (hurray!).

The 2014 Troonrede:

The miljoenennota (budget memorandum, literally memorandum of millions), which found its name back in time when the government was handling millions instead of billions, draws up the financial plans of the government for the coming year. Along with it comes the begroting (budget). Just like in the past few years, it had leaked before Prinsjesdag. On the day itself, the minister van financiën (secretary of finance) takes the miljoenennota to the Parliament in the (in)famous koffertje (case) that says “Derde dinsdag in september”. There, the minister explains the miljoenennota before the Tweede Kamer (the Second Chamber: the Dutch House of Representatives). The main points are that the gemiddelde Nederlander (average Dutchman) will have a bit more money to spend, and that defensie (defense) will have a higher budget as well.

Apart from the political and financial importance of this day, it also shows a lot of glamour and splendor. Willem-Alexander arrives at the Ridderzaal in the Gouden Koets (Golden Carriage) together with his wife Máxima in the vintage fashion of centuries ago. During their tour through Den Haag, people are standing along the road, waving and cheering for their king. And at the end of the day, the balkonscène must still happen. After the koning left the Ridderzaal, he traditionally stands on the balcony of Paleis Noordeinde and waves to the crowd.

Leve de Koning!

De Gouden Koets (Image by FaceMePLS at Flickr.com)