Prinsjesdag 2013-2023

[eya]

Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien are not at Prinsjesdag this year:

"Prince Constantijn and his wife, princess Laurentien, will not attend the Speech to the Throne of their brother (in-law), King Willem-Alexander in September. Covid-19 is the reason behind this decision, made by the president of the States General and the Senate, Jan Anthonie Bruijn. Guests – members of the Senate and the House of Representatives are not allowed to bring a guest, as they usually do. For Queen Máxima has been made an exception. King Willem-Alexander told: ‘she is playing a part in the constitutional frame, so she will be joining.’ Due to the pandemic, the location has been changed to the Great or St. James’ Church in The Hague, no carriage rides will be held, neither will the royal family wave from the balcony of Noordeinde Palace."

https://royalinsider.nl/uniek-consta...p-prinsjesdag/

[Tatiana Maria]

For Queen Máxima has been made an exception. King Willem-Alexander told: ‘she is playing a part in the constitutional frame, so she will be joining.’
[...]
https://royalinsider.nl/uniek-consta...p-prinsjesdag/

I don't understand the King's explanation. What constitutional role is assigned to the spouse of the monarch?

[Lee-Z]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

I don't understand the King's explanation. What constitutional role is assigned to the spouse of the monarch?

the text in dutch is:
Koningin Máxima is de enige partner van een aanwezige die wél mag komen. ‘Nodig je mij uit?’ vroeg de koningin desgevraagd bij de fotosessie aan haar man. ’Nou, je zit niet bij de laatste vier die er verplicht moeten zijn… Maar de koningin gaat mee, die heeft ook een rol in het staatsrechtelijk bestel, onder de ministeriële verantwoordelijkheid, dus ze is er zeker bij.’ Eigenlijk gaat de koning daar niet over, maar er is enkele weken geleden overleg geweest tussen Willem-Alexander en de voorzitter van de Eerste Kamer, Jan Anthonie Bruijn, die formeel de leiding heeft over de Verenigde Vergadering. Met hem is het aantal gasten vanuit het Koninklijk Huis vastgesteld, waarbij Constantijn en Laurentien ontbreken.

translation by me
Queen Máxima is the only partner of a person present who is allowed to come. "Are you inviting me?" The queen asked her husband when asked at the photo session. “Well, you are not among the last four that must be compulsory… But the queen is coming along, she also has a role in the constitutional system, under ministerial responsibility, so she is definitely there.” Actually, the king is not the one who decides this, but a few weeks ago there were consultations between Willem-Alexander and the chairman of the Senate, Jan Anthonie Bruijn, who is formally in charge of the United Assembly. The number of guests from the Royal House has been determined with him, with Constantijn and Laurentien missing.

in bold i highlighted the parts that make it more clear in my opinion and are missing from the earlier translation posted

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

I don't understand the King's explanation. What constitutional role is assigned to the spouse of the monarch?

In an interview the King stated he sees his spouse as an essential part of a team. For him Queen Máxima is pivotal for the workings of the monarchy and it's future (she raises the future Queen and is the designated Regentess for an underaged Queen).

I think that will be the rationale behind the King's wish to have the Queen there at well. In return he leaves a fleet of ladies and gentlemen, his usual escort from the royal family, the civil household and the military household at home, as well hundreds of household staff and military for the ceremonial proceedings.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

I don't understand the King's explanation. What constitutional role is assigned to the spouse of the monarch?

She is by law the designated regent for Princess Amalia should a regency be required. Other than that, I cannot think of any other constitutional role assigned to Queen Maxima

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Lee-Z

the text in dutch is:
Koningin Máxima is de enige partner van een aanwezige die wél mag komen. ‘Nodig je mij uit?’ vroeg de koningin desgevraagd bij de fotosessie aan haar man. ’Nou, je zit niet bij de laatste vier die er verplicht moeten zijn… Maar de koningin gaat mee, die heeft ook een rol in het staatsrechtelijk bestel, onder de ministeriële verantwoordelijkheid, dus ze is er zeker bij.’ Eigenlijk gaat de koning daar niet over, maar er is enkele weken geleden overleg geweest tussen Willem-Alexander en de voorzitter van de Eerste Kamer, Jan Anthonie Bruijn, die formeel de leiding heeft over de Verenigde Vergadering. Met hem is het aantal gasten vanuit het Koninklijk Huis vastgesteld, waarbij Constantijn en Laurentien ontbreken.

translation by me
Queen Máxima is the only partner of a person present who is allowed to come. "Are you inviting me?" The queen asked her husband when asked at the photo session. “Well, you are not among the last four that must be compulsory… But the queen is coming along, she also has a role in the constitutional system, under ministerial responsibility, so she is definitely there.” Actually, the king is not the one who decides this, but a few weeks ago there were consultations between Willem-Alexander and the chairman of the Senate, Jan Anthonie Bruijn, who is formally in charge of the United Assembly. The number of guests from the Royal House has been determined with him, with Constantijn and Laurentien missing.

in bold i highlighted the parts that make it more clear in my opinion and are missing from the earlier translation posted

Thank you! That makes it much clearer indeed.

It is an incomplete explanation given by the King as the other members of the Royal House also fall under ministerial responsibility. There is no question that the Queen is, as Duc_et_Pair said, more essential to the daily workings of the monarchy, and that is probably why she is invited, but in the eyes of the Constitution the consort is less essential than the members who are in line to the throne.

Originally Posted by Mbruno

She is by law the designated regent for Princess Amalia should a regency be required. Other than that, I cannot think of any other constitutional role assigned to Queen Maxima

But that was designated by an Act of Parliament, not in the Constitution.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Thank you! That makes it much clearer indeed.

It is an incomplete explanation given by the King as the other members of the Royal House also fall under ministerial responsibility. There is no question that the Queen is, as Duc_et_Pair said, more essential to the daily workings of the monarchy, and that is probably why she is invited, but in the eyes of the Constitution the consort is less essential than the members who are in line to the throne.



But that was designated by an Act of Parliament, not in the Constitution.

The constitution delegates to a joint session of Parliament the power to appoint a regent by law. The office of regent properly is a constitutional office.


Does the constitution say anything about other members of the RF being subject to ministerial responsibility? As far as I know, it only says that "The King is inviolable. The ministers are responsible". Should we interpret that Queen Maxima is now considered inviolable too? That would be hard to argue in any court of law.

[Somebody]

Apparently, this was said at the photo call last month - it was not some kind of official communication. In addition, the king used the term 'staatsrechtelijk' - which to me is different than 'grondwettelijk' (the 'grondwet' is the Dutch word for 'constitution'; staatsrechtelijk in my interpretation (but I'm not by any means specialized in law) is a wider term relating to the workings of the state.

In addition to being the designated regent for the princess of Orange, unlike prince Constantijn and others, queen Máxima is also a member of the Raad van State (Council of State); so, in that sense, she indeed does have a different 'staatsrechtelijke' position. Moreover, the members of the Council of State are present at Prinsjesdag, so while she attends as spouse of the head of state, if not, she could still attend as a member of the Council of State.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Somebody

Apparently, this was said at the photo call last month - it was not some kind of official communication. In addition, the king used the term 'staatsrechtelijk' - which to me is different than 'grondwettelijk' (the 'grondwet' is the Dutch word for 'constitution'; staatsrechtelijk in my interpretation (but I'm not by any means specialized in law) is a wider term relating to the workings of the state.

In addition to being the designated regent for the princess of Orange, unlike prince Constantijn and others, queen Máxima is also a member of the Raad van State (Council of State); so, in that sense, she indeed does have a different 'staatsrechtelijke' position. Moreover, the members of the Council of State are present at Prinsjesdag, so while she attends as spouse of the head of state, if not, she could still attend as a member of the Council of State.

That is a more plausible explanation, thanks! So she is attending as a member of the Council of State.

[Duc_et_Pair]

No, the Queen is no member of the Raad van State.

The King is President. He appoints the Vice-President (who is the factual boss of this High College of State) and 10 Staatsraden (State Counsels).

Queen Máxima is given a seat in the Raad van State. Like the Princess of Orange when she becomes 18. She can attend the Council but has no vote. Queen Máxima's position is just a honour. Same for the Princess of Orange. But from Princess Amalia it will be expected to attend the Council more regularly, like all Heirs before her, because it gives a view on the legislative ánd juridical process from within.

The Raad van State (established 1531) is both the highest and obligatory counsel in the legislative process as well the Supreme Court of Administration.

[Tatiana Maria]

Thank you to Mbruno, Somebody, and Duc_et_Pair for the additional details.

It is even odder that the King explained the Queen's presence by referring to the ministerial responsibility which she shares in common with the other members of the Royal House, considering that she holds other roles which do distinguish her from the other members of the Royal House.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

No, the Queen is no member of the Raad van State.

The King is President. He appoints the Vice-President (who is the factual boss of this High College of State) and 10 Staatsraden (State Counsels).

Queen Máxima is given a seat in the Raad van State. Like the Princess of Orange when she becomes 18. She can attend the Council but has no vote. Queen Máxima's position is just a honour. Same for the Princess of Orange. But from Princess Amalia it will be expected to attend the Council more regularly, like all Heirs before her, because it gives a view on the legislative ánd juridical process from within.

The Raad van State (established 1531) is both the highest and obligatory counsel in the legislative process as well the Supreme Court of Administration.

Indeed there are various types of membership of the 'Council of State', the royal family members are non-voting members of the Council of State (I don't think the king would ever consider voting either even if he would be formally allowed to). And the princess of Orange will soon 'take her seat' in the Council of State; and the fact that she is expected to attend meeting just like her father did (and probably her mother as well but less extensively - and her future husband will be 'admitted' as well) means that it is more than just an honorary role.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Somebody

Indeed there are various types of membership of the 'Council of State', the royal family members are non-voting members of the Council of State (I don't think the king would ever consider voting either even if he would be formally allowed to). And the princess of Orange will soon 'take her seat' in the Council of State; and the fact that she is expected to attend meeting just like her father did (and probably her mother as well but less extensively - and her future husband will be 'admitted' as well) means that it is more than just an honorary role.

The admission into the Council means that they have access to all Government information, as the Council is an obligatory station in any legislative process. Besides this, they will hear eminent ladies and lords Staatsraden making arguments pro and contra a whole array of topics.

Mr Herman Diederik Tjeenk Willink, Vice-President of the Council under Queen Beatrix counts as a mentor and tutor of the then Prince of Orange. Not for nothing the royal couple requested him to be one of the godparents of their daughter Catharina-Amalia. The Council seems to be a very substantial beacon and guidance for the monarchy.

Picture: HM The King takes the Oath of Professor Dr Wilhelmina den Ouden LL.M, Dean of the Constitutional Law Faculty at Leyden University, as Staatsraad.

https://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/binari...-den-ouden.jpg

[Duc_et_Pair]

The newspaper Het Parool writes that also Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien will attend Prinsjesdag. To contribute in the restriction of guests, the four royals will only be escorted by three members of the Royal Household instead of the usual 14 members escorting them.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

The newspaper Het Parool writes that also Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien will attend Prinsjesdag. To contribute in the restriction of guests, the four royals will only be escorted by three members of the Royal Household instead of the usual 14 members escorting them.

That's weird given that today it was also announced that 9 cabinet members (the secretaries of state - which is a level lower than a minister) are not coming... Only the 16 ministers are to be present.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Somebody

That's weird given that today it was also announced that 9 cabinet members (the secretaries of state - which is a level lower than a minister) are not coming... Only the 16 ministers are to be present.

If the information by Het Parool is correct, of course. Last alinea, in Dutch: https://www.parool.nl/cs-b6724b57

[Marengo]

Posts about the Golden Carriage have been moved here.

[Marengo]

According to Rick Evers the three members of the household that will accompany the king and queen are the Grand Master, Chris Breeveld, the Grand Mistress the Countess van Zuylen van Nijevelt, née Jkvr. Den Beer van Portugael and Adjudant-General Ludger Brummelaar.

He also says that the king has spent this evening at the school of his eldest daughter, which held an 'ouderavond'- an evening where teachers and parents meet to discuss the studies and development of their children.

***

A video of the Church, where seats have been placed at a two meter distance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qnXPULaWzY

[Duc_et_Pair]

I am impressed by the massive amount of technical installations needed for an Address of 20 minutes. From what I can see, it looks good. Maybe a carpet on the stone floor was nicer, but okay.

The historic Inner Court Complex (where the two Chambers of Parliament are, the Department of the Prime Minister, the Council of State as well the historic comital halls (for an example the Hall of Knights) will undergo an extensive restoration. This means that the Great- or St James' Church will be the venue in the coming years.

[Somebody]

Which is also the school of his middle and youngest daughter as all three of them attend Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet. However, as Amalia is to graduate at the end of this year, it was probably an evening discussing the specificities of this year's school exams and final exams - and/or the uncertainties around it and how the school is going to approach it.