Parliamentarians arrive for King’s Budget day amid gusty winds

Parliamentarians began arriving at the Koninklijke Schouwburg around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday for Prinsjesdag, the ceremonial opening of the parliamentary year, NU.nl reports. The arrival, known as the “hat parade,” traditionally sees many female politicians wearing elaborate hats—a challenge this year as gusty winds swept through The Hague.

Caretaker ministers arriving included Mona Keijzer, Femke Wiersma, Jord Brinkhuis, Vincent Karremans with his wife Marisa, and GL-PvdA MP Laura Bromet. ChristenUnie MP Don Ceder and NSC members Nicolien van Vroonhoven and Eddy van Hijum were also among those entering the venue. Not all parliamentarians had arrived by late morning, with additional arrivals expected before the royal procession.

Caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof and his partner, Loes, arrived at the Catshuis. Meanwhile, caretaker Minister of Finance Eelco Heinen was at the Finance Ministry signing the national budget, which will later be presented to the Tweede Kamer in the traditional briefcase at 3:30 p.m.

Spectators lined the streets, including young children given the day off from school in The Hague, to watch the royal procession and the arrivals. The weather forced many to hold onto hats or secure them with pins, while umbrellas were visible among the crowd as showers moved through the city.

The royal procession will depart Noordeinde Palace at 1:00 p.m., with King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, and Princess Amalia in the Glazen Koets, drawn by eight Friesian horses. A separate carriage will carry Princess Ariane, Princess Alexia, Prince Constantijn, and Princess Laurentien. This year marks the first time the 18-year-old Princess Ariane will participate. Two other carriages hold the royal grand master, the king’s secretary, and other officials, pulled by Gelderse horses.

Preparations included extensive training for 204 horses from the royal stables, the police, the marechaussee, and other regions, including a rehearsal on Scheveningen beach on Monday.

King Willem-Alexander will deliver the Speech from the Throne at 1:30 p.m., followed by the Royal Family’s return to Noordeinde Palace. At 2:00 p.m., they will appear on the palace balcony to greet spectators.

Prinsjesdag concludes at 3:30 p.m. when Heinen presents the briefcase holding the national budget to the Tweede Kamer.