In the Netherlands, Budget Day, known as Prinsjesdag or ‘Prince’s Day,’ takes place on the third Tuesday of September. During this event, the King delivers the Speech from the Throne, which officially marks the opening of the parliamentary year. The speech outlines the goverment’s main plans and priorities for the upcoming year.

Third Tuesday in September

Initially, Budget Day (Prince’s Day) was held on the first Monday in November, and later moved to the third Monday in October. However, this schedule didn’t provide Parliament with sufficient time to finalize the national budget before the January 1 deadline. As a result, in 1848, Budget Day was rescheduled to the third Monday in September. Not everyone, however agreed with this change! Members of parliament living outside The Hague needed to begin their journey on Sunday to arrive on time, which was particularly problematic for Protestant politicians who objected to traveling on a Sunday. Consequently, in 1887, Budget Day was moved to the third Tuesday in September.

Bit of history

The name Prince’s Day (Prinsjesdag) originates from the 18th century during the time of Prince William V, whose birthday on March 8th was celebrated as Prince’s Day. During the French occupation, supporters of the House of Orange-Nassau expressed their loyalty by continuing to celebrate this day.

The exact reason why the name Prinsjesdag was later associated with the opening of Parliament remains unclear. Despite this, it continues to be a day for people to show their affection for the royal family.

Budget day

So what actually  happens on Budget Day? On Budget Day, the King will travel in the Glass Coach to the Royal Theatre in The Hague, where ministers, state secretaries, members of parliament, and other guests will be gathered.  Since 1904, the head of state (the King or Queen) has traditionally delivered the Speech from the Throne in the Hall of Knights, outlining the government’s main plans for the upcoming year. Following the speech, the Minister of Finance presents the House of Representatives with a summary of the costs associated with the plans announced in the Speech from the Throne. This year however, like the year before, the speech will be in the Royal Theatre due to renovations at the Binnenhof.

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