Yesterday, Prinsjesdag, saw not only the annual ceremonial assembly of both Chambers of Parliament, it was also the day that the State Budget 2014 was presented. Remarkable in that budget were the quite large amounts which were reserved for the renovation of three royal residences. The amounts are surprising given the fact that under Queen Beatrix all palaces have been brought into tip-top state and were well maintenanced.
Huis ten Bosch Palace will be renovated for € 35 million (appr. US $ 45 million). The State Housing Agency informed that the technical installations (electricity, water, fire prevention, security, etc.) need an uopdate. Major maintenance is also needed for the roofs and the "inner work". Queen Beatrix started to use Huis ten Bosch Palace in 1982. Since then the building has not had major maintenance, according the State Housing Agency. Inspection has also learned that there is asbestos in the palace, which needs to be removed. The Asbestos Report is secret. The State Housing Agency refuses to give insight because the detailed description would also give information which affects the security of the King. There is no public call for bids for these works: also that would affect the security of the King. The works will be done by "selected firms".
Because the King can not use Huis ten Bosch Palace as long as the renovations are under way, he will continue to use his private villa De Eikenhorst. Temporary units will be placed in the park of this villa, to house the particulier secretariate of the King.
Noordeinde Palace, the official residence of the King, will also see a renovation. The staff restaurant will be modernized for € 8 million (apr. US $ 10,5 million).
Noordeinde 66, which is neighbouring and connected to the Noordeinde Palace complex, is renovated to serve as a pied-à-terre for Princess Beatrix. Last year the State informed that the renovation would cost € 900.000,-- (appr. US $ 1,165,000.--). Now it emerges that the costs for that renovation were considerably higher. For this The Hague-residence of Princess Beatrix the prize tag for the renovation is now € 3.25 million (appr. US $ 4,20 million).
The State Housing Agency stressed that with or without royal use, these builings (Grade A listed monuments) need the maintenance and that the costs are largely independent from the move of the new royal family into Huis ten Bosch Palace and the other residences.