Prinsjesdag

Prinsjesdag is the ceremonial opening of the Dutch parliamentary year. It takes place every year on the third Tuesday of September in The Hague.

In English, it is often called Prince’s Day. But that name only tells half the story. Prinsjesdag is also the Dutch version of Budget Day.

On this day, King Willem-Alexander delivers the Speech from the Throne, or Troonrede. In that speech, the government presents its main plans for the coming year. Later in the day, the Minister of Finance presents the Miljoenennota and the national budget to the House of Representatives.

So Prinsjesdag is both ceremony and politics. There are carriages, uniforms and royal tradition. But there are also tax plans, spending choices and policy decisions that affect daily life.

When is Prinsjesdag?

Prinsjesdag is held on the third Tuesday of September.

In 2026, Prinsjesdag falls on Tuesday 15 September.

The date changes each year, but the rule stays the same. If you want to know when Prinsjesdag is, look for the third Tuesday in September.

What happens on Prinsjesdag?

Prinsjesdag has two main parts.

The first part is the royal ceremony. King Willem-Alexander travels through The Hague in a royal procession. He then delivers the Speech from the Throne during a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The second part is the budget presentation. The Minister of Finance goes to the House of Representatives with the famous budget briefcase. Inside are the Miljoenennota and the Rijksbegroting, the national budget.

The Dutch government explains that every year on Prinsjesdag, the Minister of Finance presents the Miljoenennota and the national budget to the House of Representatives in this briefcase.

The Speech from the Throne

The Speech from the Throne is one of the most important moments of Prinsjesdag.

It is delivered by the King, but it is not the King’s personal political opinion. The speech is written by the government. It sets out the government’s main plans for the coming year.

The Royal House explains that every year on the third Tuesday in September, the government announces its plans for the coming year in the Speech from the Throne.

This is important to understand. The King reads the speech as head of state. The political responsibility belongs to the government.

What is the Miljoenennota?

The Miljoenennota is the government’s budget memorandum.

It explains the financial plans behind the national budget. It shows what the government wants to spend money on, where money will come from and what choices are being made for the year ahead.

For most people, this is the practical side of Prinsjesdag. The ceremony may get the cameras, but the Miljoenennota affects taxes, benefits, healthcare, education, housing, business costs and public services.

That is why journalists, businesses and policy experts watch Prinsjesdag closely.

What is the Prinsjesdag briefcase?

The budget briefcase is one of the most recognisable symbols of Prinsjesdag.

In Dutch, it is simply called het koffertje. The Minister of Finance carries it to the House of Representatives. It contains the Miljoenennota and the national budget.

The briefcase is marked with the words “Derde dinsdag in september”, meaning “third Tuesday in September”.

It is a small object, but it has become a strong symbol. When the briefcase appears, people know the government’s budget plans are about to become public.

Why is Prinsjesdag in The Hague?

The Hague is the political centre of the Netherlands.

The Dutch parliament, government ministries, royal working palace and many national institutions are based there. That makes it the natural city for Prinsjesdag.

The ceremony usually takes place around the royal route, Noordeinde Palace and the location where the Speech from the Throne is delivered. Due to renovation work at the Binnenhof, recent ceremonies have used alternative locations such as the Royal Theatre.

For visitors, the city centre becomes the main stage. Crowds gather along the royal route. People watch the carriage, the military escort and the balcony scene at Noordeinde Palace.

The Glass Coach and the royal procession

The royal procession is one of the most visible parts of Prinsjesdag.

In recent years, the royal family has used the Glass Coach, or Glazen Koets. The older Golden Coach, or Gouden Koets, is not currently used. Its future is uncertain because of controversy around colonial imagery on one of its panels.

The Hague’s official 2026 programme lists the Glass Coach leaving the Royal Stables at 12:45, the royal procession departing from Noordeinde Palace at 13:00, the Speech from the Throne at 13:15 and the balcony scene at Noordeinde Palace at 14:00.

For many visitors, this is the easiest part of Prinsjesdag to watch in person.

Hats, uniforms and Dutch political theatre

Prinsjesdag has a style that feels unusual in Dutch politics.

The Netherlands is usually known for plain political culture. Meetings are practical. Politicians are informal. Ceremony is limited.

Prinsjesdag is different.

There are uniforms, carriages, military music, formal dress and royal protocol. Many women in politics wear eye-catching hats, and Dutch media report on the hats almost every year.

This may look light or old-fashioned, but it is part of the public theatre of the day. Prinsjesdag makes the start of the parliamentary year visible.

Is Prinsjesdag a public holiday?

No. Prinsjesdag is not a public holiday.

Schools, offices and shops stay open. Most people follow the day through news updates, livestreams or summaries.

For people who work in politics, journalism, finance, tax, business or public policy, Prinsjesdag is a major day. For everyone else, the effects are usually felt later, when budget plans become laws or policy changes.

Can visitors attend Prinsjesdag?

You cannot simply walk into the room where the Speech from the Throne is delivered. That is an official parliamentary ceremony.

But you can watch the royal procession from public areas in The Hague. The balcony scene at Noordeinde Palace is also a popular moment for visitors.

If you want a good view, arrive early. The city centre gets busy, and security measures can affect routes and access.

You can also follow the day on television or online. This is often the easiest way to understand both the ceremony and the political announcements.

Why Prinsjesdag matters

Prinsjesdag matters because it connects symbols with decisions.

The royal procession shows the ceremonial side of the Dutch state. The Speech from the Throne shows the government’s plans. The Miljoenennota shows how those plans are meant to be paid for.

That combination makes Prinsjesdag more than a royal event.

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