Prince's Day
Royal
Prince's Day (Prinsjesdag) is the traditional start of the parliamentary year for the Senate and House of Representatives in The Hague. On the third Tuesday in September, King Willem-Alexander will deliver the Speech from the Throne in which the government announces its most important plans for the coming year. Prior to the reading of the Speech from the Throne, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will travel in the Glass Carriage, followed by other important members, with a driving tour from Noordeinde Palace via Lange Voorhout to the place where this year's speech from the throne will take place.
Programme Prince's Day
12:45 - Glass Coach rides from the Royal Stables to Noordeinde Palace
13:00 - Departure of royal procession from Noordeinde Palace to the Royal Theatre
13:15 - Speech from the Throne Royal Theatre
13:50 - Glass coach departs from the Royal Theatre towards Noordeinde Palace
14:00 - Balcony scene at Noordeinde Palace
Experience Prince's Day exclusively from the stands
Watch the carriage tour from the Orange grandstand on Lange Voorhout
Route driving tour during Prinsjesdag
Due to the renovation of the Binnenhof (Inner Court) an alternative route will be used.
The usual route has been in use since 1925, when an elevation of the street made it no longer possible to pass under the Stadhouderspoort at the front of the Binnenhof. Now, the Glass Coach drives up the Kneuterdijk via Noordeinde, along the shell path of Lange Voorhout and Korte Voorhout to the Royal Theatre. The United States General Assembly and the reading of the speech from the throne by the King, take place here.
During the traditional driving tour, a gun salute is fired every minute by the battery 11th Division Riding Artillery (Gele Rijders) on Malieveld.
From Central Station, there are two walking routes towards Lange Voorhout.
1. Central Station, Herengracht, Korte Poten, Plein, Korte Vijverberg, Lange Voorhout
2. Central Station, Turfmarkt, Kleine Houtstraat, Plein, Korte Vijverberg, Lange Voorhout
Balcony scene
Around 13:50, the Royal Family departs again by Glass Coach to Noordeinde Palace. After King Willem-Alexander and the other members of the Royal Family have returned to Noordeinde Palace, the balcony scene follows around 14:00, with the Royal Family being cheered on the balcony by the people. This balcony scene was introduced in the 1960s for security reasons. Previously, if the weather permitted during Prinsjesdag, the family, after returning to the palace, would switch from the Glass Coach to an open carriage that drove through The Hague with trotting horses.
Traffic measures during Prinsjesdag
During Prinsjesdag, some streets in the city centre of The Hague will be closed and garages will have limited access. You are advised to come by bike or public transport. Some tram and bus lines will run a different route. Check the HTM website for more information.
The municipality places fences at streets that will be closed for Prinsjesdag. The carriage route will be closed on both sides between 12:45 and 14:30. Pedestrians can cross the route at the flags until 11:30am. From 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, the pedestrian crossings will be closed.
