Prinsjesdag: a royal budget day in the Netherlands
If you live in the Netherlands, you’ve probably heard of Prinsjesdag. But what is it really about? Prinsjesdag is a big moment in Dutch politics. It’s when the government shares its budget and plans for the year ahead. But it’s also a day full of royal traditions, media attention, and cultural details. In short, it tells you a lot about how the Netherlands works. Here’s what happens and why it matters.
What happens on Prinsjesdag?
- It’s always held on the third Tuesday of September.
- It marks the start of the new parliamentary year.
- The King gives a speech (called the Troonrede), sharing the government’s plans.
- The government presents its budget (the Miljoenennota).
- There’s a royal procession, fashion highlights (especially hats!), and national tradition.
Even if politics isn’t your thing, you’ll hear about Prinsjesdag on the news, in conversations, and even at work.
What to expect on the day
| What | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Royal procession | The King travels through The Hague in a royal carriage, now usually the Glass Coach (Glazen Koets). The famous Golden Carriage (Gouden Koets) is no longer used, due to its colonial imagery. | A moment of tradition, ceremony, and national identity. |
| Throne speech (Troonrede) | The King reads a speech written by the government. It talks about the state of the country and plans for the year. | This sets the political tone—but most Dutch people don’t follow every word either! |
| Budget (Miljoenennota) | The government shares its spending plans. A debate (Algemene Beschouwingen) follows. | These plans affect daily life—like taxes, healthcare, and education. |
| Friday leaks | The budget often “leaks” to the press the Friday before Prinsjesdag. | So key points are already in the news before the big day. |
| The hats | Many women wear creative hats to the speech. These often steal the spotlight in the media. | It’s tradition—and a fun part of the day that even non-political people enjoy. |
| The anthem (Wilhelmus) | The national anthem is sung before and after the King’s speech. | A moment of national pride and ceremony. |
Where does Prinsjesdag come from?
The name Prinsjesdag dates back to the 18th century. It used to celebrate Prince William V of Orange’s birthday. But over time, the meaning changed.
Since 1814, Prinsjesdag has marked the opening of Parliament. The monarch gives a speech, and the government presents the budget. The date changed several times, moving from November to October, and finally to September. The goal? To give MPs more time to debate the budget.
In 1887, the Dutch Constitution fixed the date as the third Tuesday in September. Tuesday was chosen so MPs wouldn’t need to travel on Sunday, which was important at the time.
Over the years, Prinsjesdag became more ceremonial. The royal carriage, the hats, the King’s speech, they all became part of a tradition many people still enjoy watching today.
Why it’s useful to know about Prinsjesdag
- Understanding Prinsjesdag helps you feel more at home in Dutch society.
- News stories start to make more sense.
- You’ll understand political debates, even just the main ideas.
- It’s easier to join conversations with neighbours or colleagues.
- And you start to see how history, tradition, and politics are all connected in the Netherlands.
It may seem like a small thing, but it’s one of those “insider” details that helps you feel like you belong.
Useful Dutch words for Prinsjesdag
| Dutch word | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Prinsjesdag | Princes’ Day (opening of Parliament) |
| Staten-Generaal | States General (both chambers of Parliament) |
| Staatshoofd | Head of State (the King) |
| Gouden Koets | Golden Carriage |
| Glazen Koets | Glass Coach (used today) |
| Troonrede | Throne Speech |
| Miljoenennota | Government budget document |
| Algemene Beschouwingen | General Debate |
| Wilhelmus | Dutch national anthem |
| Hoed(en) | Hat(s) |
| Begroting | Budget |
| Belastingen | Taxes |
| Zorg | Healthcare |
| Onderwijs | Education |
Ready to understand more Dutch life?
Learning Dutch makes a big difference. At Regina Coeli, we offer Dutch courses that are intensive, high-quality, and designed for motivated internationals.
Join us and feel more at home in the Netherlands, one word at a time.
More about Dutch language and culture
Making small talk in Dutch
Despite Dutch directness, you’ll need to—if you wish to truly integrate into Dutch culture—be prepared to make a bit of small talk in Dutch. By being able to chat about any number of general subjects, you’ll connect with your colleagues, neighbours and business partners. It’s a valuable skill which you can quickly feel at ease using, because you don’t actually need a great deal of vocabulary for it.
A quick bakkie? Understanding Dutch coffee culture
If you're living in the Netherlands, you’ve probably heard someone ask, “Zullen we een bakkie doen?” It means, “Shall we have a coffee?” But it’s more than just a drink. In the Netherlands, coffee is part of the culture. It’s about connection, comfort, and routine.
Dutch expressions about money
Hard work and thriftiness have long been important values in Dutch culture. That’s why you’ll come across lots of sayings that have to do with money in the daily language of the Dutch. If you’d like to enrich your use of Dutch, then expressions are a godsend. With them, you can say a lot with just a few words. The Dutch themselves use them all the time. There are several common expressions about money in this article. Can you use them in a conversation or writing?