Dutch Royals Celebrate Prinsjesdag 2009

This past Tuesday, September 15th, the Dutch Royal Family attended the annual opening of parliament, Prinsjesdag. The event took place at The Hague’s 13th century Ridderzal (Hall of Knights), where HM Queen Beatrix addressed the Dutch parliament from the throne.

Accompanied by TRH the Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima, Prince Constantijn, Princess Laurentien, Princess Margriet and Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven, the Dutch monarch arrived at the Ridderzal in a golden carriage which dates back to 1898. Upon entering the Ridderzal, Queen Beatrix read a speech written by the government of Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, which outlines the coming year’s budget.

The Queen announced that the government would be cutting costs in the years to come, following the global financial crisis which left many nations in a recession, while also addressing other financial issues facing the government in the 2010 budget. “People are losing their jobs, the number of bankruptcies is rising quickly, assets built up over the years are shrinking and government finances are unavoidably showing large deficits,” she said.

HM also spoke of how not making chances to the parliament’s budget policies would create financial problems for the Dutch: “Serious and undesirable results will arise for the level of taxes and the affordability of services such as health care, education and pensions.” However, at the end of her speech, the Queen wished the government well, stating “You may feel supported in the knowledge that many are wishing you wisdom and join me in praying for strength and God’s blessing upon you.”

At the closure of HM’s address, the Senate Speaker proclaimed “Long live the Queen!”, to which those in attendance replied “Huzza! Huzza! Huzza!” The Queen and the royal party then returned to Noordeinde Palace, where they greeted the crowds from the Palace’s main balcony.

Extra security was on hand for this year’s Prinsjesdag, following the Koninginnedag 2009 Tragedy in April. Click here to view the Prinsjesdag 2009 thread.

Filed under The Netherlands
Tagged King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands, Parliament, Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Prinsjesdag, Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.

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