Royal The Hague

Back to the past: the history of the House of Orange in The Hague

The Hague and the House of Orange belong together. For more than four centuries, the House of Orange has lived in The Hague almost continuously, first as stadtholders, later as kings and queens. During that period, they literally left their mark on the city. Prince Maurits was the first to settle in the city. In 1585, he moved into the Stadholder's quarters at the Binnenhof and built the Maurits Tower, named after him, making The Hague the seat of government.

A true court culture only emerged under Maurice's successor and half-brother, Prince Frederick Henry. He greatly expanded the royal household and hosted lavish parties. Stadtholder Frederick Henry also had several palaces built, such as Honselaarsdijk Palace in Westland and Huis ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk (both later demolished) and Huis ten Bosch.

Digital city walk: the Royal Tour

There are many royal sights in and around the city. As you walk around, you will pass many historical monuments, residential and working palaces, and sometimes a beautiful carriage will suddenly drive by. You may also encounter the royal family on the street or in one of the shops they like to visit. Would you like to know more about these locations? Listen, walk and watch the Royal Tour, a royal walk with audio and video clips. With this Royal Tour, you will discover the richness of the royal capital.

Stroll past the many palaces, historical monuments and beautiful palace gardens and be enchanted by the images and stories from our royal history. At some locations, you will see 'golden tiles' on the ground. Be sure to read these short texts.

Wappert de vlag op Paleis Noordeinde?

Paleis Noordeinde, met zijn sierlijk aangelegde tuin, is gelegen aan het Noordeinde, één van de meest elegante winkelstraten van Den Haag. Paleis Noordeinde is het middelpunt geweest van belangrijke gebeurtenissen in het leven van de koninklijke familie.

Zo trouwden prinses Juliana en prins Bernhard en prins Constantijn en prinses Laurentien vanuit dit paleis. Wilhelmina en Juliana zijn er geboren. Zowel koning Willem III, zijn tweede echtgenote koningin-moeder Emma als koningin Wilhelmina hebben op Paleis Noordeinde gewoond. Tegenwoordig werkt hier koning Willem-Alexander. Als hij in het land is, wappert de vlag, de koninklijke standaard, op het paleis.

Listen and discover the history of the House of Orange

In the spring of 2024, the NPO presented the eventful history of the House of Orange-Nassau in The Story of the Netherlands. In addition to the television series (which can be viewed via NPO Start), there are several podcasts of The Story of the Netherlands, including one about royal The Hague.

Listen and walk along with presenter Daan Schuurmans as he guides you through The Hague in the early seventeenth century, a turbulent time for the royal capital. You can listen to this podwalk via the free app Het Verhaal van Nederland (The Story of the Netherlands). During this walk through the city centre to the Hague Forest, you will hear how the city became a true court city in the 17th century.

Through the eyes of the King: a podcast about 10 years of kingship

How did King Willem-Alexander experience his first 10 years as king? In an exclusive podcast with Edwin Evers, they look back on the past decade.

Experience Prince's Day

Prinsjesdag is the traditional start of the parliamentary year for the Senate and House of Representatives in The Hague. On this third Tuesday in September, King Willem-Alexander delivers the speech from the throne in the Ridderzaal, in which the government announces its most important plans for the coming year. Prior to reading the speech from the throne, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima travel in the Glass Carriage, followed by other important members, on a tour from Noordeinde Palace via the Lange Voorhout to the Binnenhof.

Prior to this festive day, all kinds of activities are organised in the city. From the Prinsjesfestival to the spectacular beach exercise of the Cavalry Honour Guard in Scheveningen. The whole month revolves around Royal September!