How much do you know about the Dutch monarchy?

The Role of the Monarch in Dutch Government and Society

• The primary role of the monarch in the Dutch government is within the executive branch, as part of the government of the Netherlands.

• The government consists of the monarch and his ministers, with the monarch not being the head of government and ministers not answerable to the monarch.

• The monarch's power is limited by the fact that the government speaks with one voice and makes decisions as a united body, with the monarch acting as a representative of the government.

• The monarch is inviolate and beyond any reproach before the law, but this also limits his practical power.

• The monarch rarely makes any executive decisions and practically never speaks in public on any subject other than to read a statement prepared by the Prime Minister.

• The monarch has a role in the formation of a new government after parliamentary elections, appointing informateurs and formateurs to investigate and report upon viable coalitions.

• The monarch's authority in government formation was altered in 2012, with subsequent government formations being done without the monarch's influence.

• The legislative branch, formed by the States-General of the Netherlands, is the one branch of government over which the monarch has no control.

• The monarch's constitutional role with the States-General is in lawmaking, policy outlining, and dissolution of one or both houses.

• The monarch addresses the joint states at the opening of the parliamentary year, setting forth the outlines for his government's policies for the coming year.

• The monarchy of the Netherlands was established in 1815 as a reaction to the decline of the Dutch Republic, with the original monarchy being absolute in nature.

• The position and importance of the monarchy within Dutch society has changed over time, with the monarchy's power being limited through a series of constitutional reforms.The Monarchy in the Netherlands: History, Popularity, and Finances

• The Dutch monarchy was established in 1815 with the House of Orange-Nassau as the ruling family.

• Early monarchs, William I and William II, were conservative and resistant to major reforms, leading to conflicts with the parliamentary government.

• Queen Wilhelmina introduced the concept of a popular monarch through her support of the military and successful handling of a socialist revolution.

• The popularity of the monarchy has fluctuated over time, with William I's policies and economic decline leading to low support, and Wilhelmina's reign seeing an increase in popularity.

• The royal family's popularity reached its peak during World War II, with Queen Wilhelmina becoming a symbol of Dutch resistance against the Germans.

• The royal palaces are owned by the Dutch state, and the House of Orange-Nassau has personal belongings as well as cultural assets placed in trusts.

• The Crown Property Trust holds the crown jewels and ceremonial items used on official occasions.

• The Royal Archives house the personal archives of the royal family, including books, photographs, and artworks.

• The Royal House Finances Act sets allowances for the monarch, heir to the throne, and former sovereign who has abdicated, as well as their spouses.

• The allowances have two components: income and personnel and materials, with annual increases or decreases.

• The state budget now shows all costs of the royal house, including allowances, expenses for official duties, and other management expenses.

• The budgetary allocation for the royal house in 2010 was €39.643 million, with categories of expenditure including allowances, expenses for official duties, and other management expenses.