Prinsjesdag: what you need to know about the rituals
The government presents its 2027 spending plans to parliament and the public on Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know:...
Prinsjesdag, the annual event marking the beginning of the new parliamentary year, took place on Tuesday as the king officially opened the government's spending plans to parliament and the public. The tradition dates back to 1887 and has been held on the third Tuesday in September ever since. The day begins with the king and queen traveling from Noordeinde palace to the Koninklijke Schouwburg theatre in a horse-drawn coach, known as the Glass Coach, which turned 200 years old this year.
After the address to parliament, the royals return to the palace and meet on the balcony for a wave to the crowds.
The king delivers the troonrede, a speech outlining the government's plans for the year, in the Ridderzaal, or knights' hall, at the Binnenhof. This year, due to renovations, the speech took place at the theatre. After the speech, finance minister Eelco Heinen presents the budget, or rijksbegroting, to parliament in a briefcase tradition dating back to 1947. The document sets out the spending priorities for each ministry for the coming year.
Following the budget presentation, MPs debate the socio-economic aspects of the government's plans in a debate known as the Algemene Politieke Beschouwingen. Opposition leaders present their own alternative budgets and propose changes to the government's plans. After weeks of debate, each ministry's spending plans will be examined in detail. The budget is not set in stone, however, and changes are expected as the legislative process unfolds.
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