Monarchy of the Netherlands facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids King of the Netherlands
Koning der Nederlanden Rey di Hulanda
Coat of arms of the Netherlands
Incumbent

Willem-Alexander since 30 April 2013

Details
Style	His Majesty
Heir apparent	Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange
First monarch	William I
Formation	16 March 1815; 210 years ago (1815-03-16)
Residence	Royal Palace of Amsterdam Noordeinde Palace Huis ten Bosch

The monarchy of the Netherlands is a system where a king or queen is the head of state. This system is guided by the country's constitution. About one-third of this constitution explains how a new monarch takes the throne. It also describes their duties and how they work with the government. The monarch is the head of state and part of the government in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands became a hereditary monarchy on March 16, 1815. This means the title passes down through the family. Before this, parts of the Netherlands were ruled by leaders called stadtholders. These leaders came from the House of Orange-Nassau. This lasted from 1559 until 1795. The last stadtholder, William V, Prince of Orange, had to leave the country.

William the Silent was an early leader from the House of Orange-Nassau. He led the Dutch Revolt against Spain. Some of his family members later became stadtholders. In 1747, the role of stadtholder became a family position. This made the Dutch Republic like a "crowned republic."

Today, Willem-Alexander is the King of the Netherlands. He became king on April 30, 2013. This happened after his mother, Queen Beatrix, stepped down.

How Does Succession to the Throne Work?
The Monarch's Role in Government
The Monarch and Laws
Forming a New Government
The Monarch and the States-General
Other Duties of the Monarch
The Monarchy in Dutch Society
- How Popular is the Monarchy?
History of the Dutch Monarchy
- List of Hereditary Heads of State
- Who is the Heir Apparent?
Religious Affiliation of the Royal Family
Royal Finances and Property
What are the Monarch's Titles?
Royal Family vs. Royal House
Royal Standards and Monograms
- Royal Standards
- Royal Monograms
See also

How Does Succession to the Throne Work?

The Dutch monarchy passes to the heirs of William I. The next in line is chosen in two ways. First, it uses absolute cognatic primogeniture. This means the oldest child, whether male or female, inherits the throne. This rule started in 1983. Before that, males were preferred.

Second, it uses proximity of blood. This means only people closely related to the current monarch can inherit. They must be within three degrees of kinship. For example, a monarch's great-grandchildren are usually too far removed. Only children born within marriage can claim the throne. If a king dies and his wife is pregnant, the unborn child is seen as the heir. If the child is stillborn, it's as if they never existed.

If the monarch is a child, a regent is chosen. This regent rules until the monarch is old enough. The regent is usually the child's surviving parent. However, the constitution allows for any suitable person to be appointed.

There are also special rules. If there is no heir, the States-General (the Dutch parliament) can choose a successor. This can happen even before the monarch dies. Also, some people can be removed from the line of succession. This happens if they marry without parliament's permission. It can also happen if they are deemed unfit to be monarch. This "emergency exit" has never been used.

How Does a New Monarch Take the Throne?

The Netherlands always has a monarch. The country's government needs a head of state to work. So, a new monarch takes over the moment the old one stops ruling. The only exception is if there's no heir at all. In that case, the Council of State temporarily acts as monarch.

The new monarch must promise to follow the constitution. They also promise to do their job faithfully. This promise is made in a special ceremony. It happens as soon as possible in Amsterdam, the capital city. This ceremony is called the inauguration (inhuldiging).

The Dutch monarch is not crowned. Instead, they take an oath. This oath shows they accept the throne. The crown and other royal items are present, but not worn. The monarch becomes ruler the moment the previous one leaves the throne. The ceremony is just a public acceptance.

How Can a Monarch's Reign End?

A monarch's reign ends either by death or by stepping down (abdication). When this happens, the rules of succession begin. The constitution explains what happens after these events.

Abdication is a choice the monarch makes. Once they step down, they cannot return to the throne. Any children born after they abdicate cannot claim the throne either.

An abdicated monarch is still a Prince or Princess of the Netherlands. After they die, they legally have no titles. But people still traditionally call them King or Queen. For example, Queen Juliana became a princess again after she abdicated in 1980. But after her death in 2004, she was called Queen Juliana again.

Can a Monarch Temporarily Lose Power?

Yes, a monarch can temporarily lose their royal authority. This can happen in two ways:

Voluntary suspension: The monarch chooses to stop doing their duties for a while.
Removal from authority: The government decides the monarch is unfit for their job.

These situations are temporary. They are meant for emergencies. For example, if the monarch becomes physically or mentally unable to rule. In both cases, the States-General must agree. If the monarch steps down voluntarily, it's done by law. If they are removed, it's by a declaration from parliament.

Since these are temporary, they don't trigger succession. Instead, a regent is appointed. This regent is usually the heir if they are old enough. The monarch can return to their duties when a new law is passed.

The Monarch's Role in Government

The monarch has duties in all parts of the government. Their main role is within the executive branch. The monarch is part of the government of the Netherlands.

Article 42 of the constitution explains this:

"The government consists of the King and the ministers."
"The King is inviolable; the ministers are responsible."

This means the monarch is protected from blame. They cannot be prosecuted for their actions as monarch. But it also means they have limited practical power. If something goes wrong, the ministers are responsible. This means ministers make most decisions. The monarch agrees with the government's decisions, even if they disagree personally. They almost never speak publicly without a statement prepared by the Prime Minister. Every decision must be approved by the responsible minister.

The Monarch and Laws

Technically, the monarch has a lot of power. For example, no proposed law becomes law until the monarch signs it. There is no law saying they must sign. But in practice, the monarch always signs. This is because most laws are proposed "by or on behalf of the King."

Many daily government tasks are done through royal decrees (Koninklijk Besluit). These decrees are used for many things. They appoint officials, clarify policies, and even create or dissolve government ministries. They can also appoint or fire ministers.

However, royal decrees are made by the responsible minister. The monarch must sign them, but the ministers must also approve them. This means the ministers make the decisions. The monarch's signature is more of a formality. The monarch never proposes laws personally. A monarch refusing to sign a law approved by parliament is very rare. It would cause a serious constitutional crisis.

There's a special case for appointing ministers. The royal decree to appoint a minister needs two ministers to approve it. These are the outgoing minister and the Prime Minister.

Forming a New Government

The monarch's powers are limited, but they are not just ceremonial. They play a role in forming a new government. This happens after parliamentary elections. This role is not directly written in the constitution.

After an election, political parties try to form a coalition. This is a group of parties that can get a majority of votes in parliament. The Dutch election system makes it hard for one party to win a majority. So, forming a coalition is very important.

This process can take months. It starts with one or more informateurs. Their job is to find possible coalitions. Once a good combination is found, a formateur is appointed. This person leads the official talks and forms the new government. The formateur usually becomes the Prime Minister. The monarch appoints these informateurs and formateurs. The monarch makes this decision based on advice from party leaders and other important figures.

There are often discussions about whether the monarch should have this power. Some people think parliament should make these appointments. They argue that the monarch's decision is not democratic. They worry the monarch might choose a government they prefer.

However, the monarch usually has little influence. The informateur's job is to find possible coalitions. Political parties are usually clear about what they want. The first choice for a coalition is almost always the one preferred by the largest party. Also, monarchs usually choose neutral people for these roles.

In March 2012, the States-General changed its rules. Future governments would be formed without the monarch's influence. A new government was formed quickly after the next election. Instead of the monarch, the Speaker of the House of Representatives appointed the "scout" (the new name for informateur). The ceremony where ministers are installed was also held in public for the first time.

The Monarch and the States-General

The Dutch Court is still known for their old traditions.

The throne of the Ridderzaal, from which the Dutch monarch delivers the Throne Speech on Prinsjesdag.

The monarch has no control over the legislative branch. This branch is the States General of the Netherlands. It has two parts: the House of Representatives (Parliament) and the Senate.

Like in most parliamentary democracies, the States-General oversees the government. They also approve laws. The monarch works with the government to keep good relations with parliament. However, the monarch never officially discusses policy with parliament members.

The monarch interacts with the States-General in three main ways: lawmaking, outlining policy, and dissolving parliament.

Policy Outlining at the Start of the Parliamentary Year

The parliamentary year begins on the third Tuesday of September. Both houses of parliament meet together. The monarch gives a speech at this event. This speech outlines the government's plans for the coming year. The ministers prepare this speech. This event is required by the constitution.

This occasion is known as Prinsjesdag. It has become a grand event with much ceremony. The States-General gathers in the Ridderzaal. The King arrives from the Noordeinde Palace in his golden carriage. He then delivers the speech from the throne. This event is similar to the State Opening of Parliament in the UK.

The Monarch's Role in Lawmaking

The monarch is involved in lawmaking most often. However, they have little practical role. Laws are usually proposed by the government "by or on behalf of" the monarch. This phrase comes from a time when monarchs had more power. Modern monarchs do not propose laws personally.

The monarch must still sign laws. This is a historical tradition. It shows that the law of the land is decreed by the monarch. Even though the king only signs, official communications still show respect for the monarch. For example, if parliament doesn't approve a law, it's called "a request to the King to reconsider."

Once a law is passed, it is written as if it was decreed by the monarch.

Dissolving Parliament

The government can dissolve either house of the States-General. This is done by royal decree. A minister makes the decision, and the monarch signs it. Dissolving a house means new elections must be held. A new house must be formed within three months.

The constitution requires dissolution in some cases. This often happens for changes to the constitution. Also, if a government collapses, the House of Representatives is usually dissolved. This leads to new elections. Before World War II, prime ministers sometimes dissolved parliament. They hoped new elections would bring a more favorable parliament.

Until 1999, the queen would invite parliament members for informal talks. These talks were private. The tradition stopped because some members shared details of the conversations. This caused problems for the Prime Minister. An attempt to restart it in 2009 also failed.

Other Duties of the Monarch

The monarch has other important roles. Some are constitutional, and others are traditional.

The monarch is the head of state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. They represent the country to the world. Dutch ambassadors represent the monarch abroad. Foreign ambassadors present their credentials to the monarch. The monarch also makes official state visits to other countries. Their face is shown on Dutch stamps and euro coins.

The monarch is also the head of the Dutch Council of State. This council has two main jobs. First, it advises the government on new laws. It checks if they are good, practical, and constitutional. Second, it acts as the highest court for administrative law cases.

The monarch's role in the council is mostly symbolic. They are the official chairman but never vote. They let the deputy head lead meetings. However, their involvement is seen as valuable. Monarchs gain much experience and knowledge over the years. Being part of the council helps prepare the heir for their future role. The heir-apparent is an observer-member of the council once they are old enough.

The monarch is also the Grand Master of the Dutch orders of knighthood. These include the Order of Orange-Nassau, the Order of the Netherlands Lion, and the Military William Order.

Finally, the monarch advises the government. They have a weekly meeting with the Prime Minister. They discuss government affairs and plans. It is believed the monarch shares their knowledge and experience in these meetings. Former Prime Ministers have noted that Queen Beatrix knew a lot about every topic.

The monarch is not the commander-in-chief of the military of the Netherlands. This changed in 1983. Now, the government as a whole commands the armed forces. When King Willem-Alexander became king, he had to resign from his military ranks. A special Royal distinctive was created for him. He wears it on his uniforms to show his connection to the armed forces.

Money and Privileges for the Royal Family

What is a Royal Stipend?

The constitution says the monarch receives an annual payment. This is called a stipend. It's like a salary, but it's not called that. This is because it implies the monarch works for the government. The rules for these stipends are set by law. Other members of the royal house also receive them.

Currently, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, and Princess Beatrix receive stipends. They get these payments because their positions prevent them from working other jobs. For example, in 2017, the King received €888,000. The Queen received €352,000, and Princess Beatrix received €502,000. These are personal payments. They also get extra money for official expenses.

These stipends are linked to the salaries of Dutch civil servants. If civil servant wages go up, so do the royal stipends. This caused some debate in parliament in 2009.

Special Royal Privileges

The Dutch monarchy's royal train in 2017

Are They Exempt from Taxes?

Members of the royal house who receive a stipend do not pay income tax on it. They are also free from personal taxes on things they use for their royal duties. The monarch and heir are also exempt from inheritance tax on money or property from other royal house members.

Royal Palaces

The monarch can use several palaces. Huis ten Bosch and Noordeinde Palace in The Hague are used for living and working. The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is used for state visits. It is open to the public when not in use. Soestdijk Palace is also available but is currently open to the public.

Transportation

The monarch has a fleet of cars. They also have a private three-car royal train. There are special royal waiting rooms at three train stations. The monarch also has access to a Boeing 737 Business Jet. King Willem-Alexander is licensed to fly it.

Lèse-majesté Laws

Historically, insulting the Dutch monarch was a crime called Lèse-majesté. The Netherlands used to prosecute people for publicly insulting the monarch or their family. Sentences were usually light. Between 2000 and 2012, 18 cases were brought, with half leading to convictions. This law was officially removed on January 1, 2020. However, insulting the monarch or their close family is still punishable. It is treated like insulting other public officials.

Roles of Other Royal Family Members

The royal family is quite large. However, most members do not have official roles in the Dutch government. Only the monarch plays a key role. The heir-apparent prepares for the throne. They have limited tasks and cannot hold a paying job. This is to avoid conflicts of interest. The monarch and heir-apparent, along with their spouses, receive stipends.

Other royal family members do not have official government tasks. They do not receive stipends. They are responsible for their own conduct and income. They may sometimes help the monarch, like accompanying them on a state visit. But this is a personal favor, not an official duty. They are also not exempt from taxes.

Many royal family members work with civil society organizations. They often lead or speak for charitable organizations. They also support arts and other causes. For example, Prince Bernhard cared deeply about World War II veterans. Princess Margriet has a special bond with Canadian veterans. Older family members often focus on these roles. Younger members often combine them with regular jobs.

Spouses of the monarch and heir-apparent cannot hold paying jobs or government roles. This prevents financial conflicts or undue influence. This rule was less of an issue in the 19th century. But it became more challenging when queens ruled. Their husbands, like Prince Hendrik, Prince Bernhard, and Prince Claus, found their freedom limited.

Over time, these rules have become a bit less strict. Prince Bernhard was given a role in the military. He also acted as an unofficial ambassador. Prince Claus was allowed to advise the Ministry for Development Cooperation on Africa. When Queen Máxima married King Willem-Alexander, it was agreed she should have more freedom. She had a career in banking before her marriage.

Death and Burial of Royal Family Members

The rules for death and burial are different for royal family members. For other Dutch citizens, there is a specific law. But this law does not apply to the royal family. This is because of long-standing traditions.

Since William the Silent was buried in the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft, many members of the Orange-Nassau family have been buried there. Burial in churches was forbidden in 1829 for health reasons. But Dutch laws have always made an exception for the royal house.

The burial of royal family members follows tradition. The body is usually displayed for a few days. This allows the family and sometimes the public to say goodbye. On the burial day, the body is taken to Delft in a special horse-drawn carriage. For a monarch, eight horses are used. For a royal consort, six horses are used. The carriage is purple with white trim. Members of the Dutch armed forces line the route to Delft.

Once in Delft, the body is placed in the family crypt. Only family members can enter the crypt through the main church entrance. This entrance only opens for royal funerals.

The Monarchy in Dutch Society

The role of the monarchy in Dutch society has changed over time.

The monarchy was created in 1815. This was after the fall of the Dutch Republic. People believed a strong central government was needed. After Napoleon Bonaparte's defeat, the Netherlands became a kingdom.

The first monarchy was an absolute monarchy. The king had great freedom. William I made many changes. He helped the country industrialize. But his policies also caused conflict. This led to the Belgian Revolution. Over time, the king's power was limited. This started with a new constitution in 1848.

Direct political power of the king slowly declined. William III often struggled with parliament. After his death, the government used the chance to gain more power.

Queen Wilhelmina tried to regain royal authority. She was partly successful in some areas. She also introduced the idea of a "popular monarch." She gained popularity by supporting the military. In 1918, she used her popularity to stop a socialist revolution.

Royal power continued to decline until World War II. Queen Wilhelmina fled to London. But she became a symbol of Dutch resistance. She supported the Dutch people through radio broadcasts. After the war, she remained a constitutional monarch.

After Wilhelmina, the Orange-Nassau family became "popular monarchs." They had unofficial influence behind the scenes. They were rarely seen doing official work in public. Instead, they focused on a more popular image. Queens Juliana and Beatrix were seen as "mothers of the nation." They helped comfort people during crises. There is also a public holiday called Koningsdag (King's Day). On this day, the royal family visits a town. They participate in local activities to connect with the people.

How Popular is the Monarchy?

The popularity of the monarchy has changed over time. It depends on events and the economy.

When the monarchy started in 1815, about 60% of people supported the Orange family. But this changed. William I's policies caused problems. Royal popularity remained low during the reigns of the kings. William III was unpopular with many.

Popularity increased with Wilhelmina. She supported national reforms and industrialization. In 1917, the country was divided. Socialists were in cities, royalists elsewhere. Wilhelmina gained support by touring the countryside. This helped stop a revolution. But she remained unpopular in cities in the 1920s and 1930s.

Nationwide support for Wilhelmina grew during World War II. She became a symbol of Dutch resistance against the Germans.

History of the Dutch Monarchy

For rulers of the Netherlands before 1795, see Stadtholder and List of rulers of the Netherlands.

After the Eighty Years' War, the Dutch Republic was formed. Each of its seven provinces had a chief executive called a stadtholder. After 1747, the role of stadtholder became centralized. It was passed down through the House of Orange-Nassau. The Netherlands was a republic until 1795.

The House of Orange-Nassau came from Germany. They got the title 'Prince of Orange' in 1544. William of Orange (William the Silent) was the first Orange-Nassau Stadtholder. He led the Dutch fight for independence from Spain. His younger brother's family line later became the kings of the Netherlands.

The current monarchy began in 1813. This was after the French left. Prince William Frederick of Orange became the leader. He first ruled as a "sovereign prince" over the old republic's land. In 1815, he made the Netherlands a kingdom. He declared himself King William I. Europe was reorganized at the Congress of Vienna. The House of Orange-Nassau was confirmed as rulers. The kingdom grew to include what are now Belgium and Luxembourg.

Abdication (stepping down) has become a tradition in the Dutch monarchy. Queen Wilhelmina and Queen Juliana both stepped down for their daughters. William I also abdicated for his son. Only William II and William III died while on the throne.

On April 30, 2013, Queen Beatrix stepped down. Her eldest son, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, became king.

List of Hereditary Heads of State

Queen Wilhelmina (1890–1948)

Queen Wilhelmina became queen in 1890 at age 10. Her 58-year reign was shaped by the two World Wars. She married a German prince, Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Wilhelmina was a strong leader. She is best remembered for her role during World War II. She went to London but supported the Dutch people and the resistance. Wilhelmina and Hendrik had one daughter, Juliana. Juliana became queen in 1948. Wilhelmina died in 1962.

Queen Juliana (1948–1980)

Juliana ruled from 1948 to 1980. She had a more motherly style than her mother. One of her first acts was to sign the treaty making Indonesia independent. During her reign, there were two major issues. One involved her interest in a mystic group. The other was the Lockheed bribery scandals. Her husband, Prince Bernhard, was found to have taken bribes. He was forbidden from his military tasks. But the monarchy and Juliana's position were not in doubt. She and Bernhard had four daughters: Beatrix, Irene, Margriet, and Christina. Juliana died on March 20, 2004. Her husband Bernhard died on December 1, 2004.

Queen Beatrix (1980–2013)

The Dutch royal family is much larger now. Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus had three sons: King Willem-Alexander, Prince Friso, and Prince Constantijn. Beatrix's sister Princess Margriet has four sons. Princess Margriet is in line to the throne after King Willem-Alexander's daughters and his brother.

Prince Friso lost his right to the throne. This happened because his marriage to Mabel Wisse Smit was not approved by the States-General. Beatrix's other two sisters, Irene and Christina, also lost their rights. Their marriages were not approved by parliament. They both married Roman Catholics. Irene also converted to Catholicism. This was a political issue in the 1960s. Traditionally, Dutch monarchs have been members of the Dutch Reformed Church.

On January 28, 2013, Queen Beatrix announced she would step down. She abdicated on April 30, 2013. Her eldest son became the new King.

King Willem-Alexander (2013–present)

The current monarch is King Willem-Alexander. He was born in 1967. He became King on April 30, 2013. He studied history at University of Leiden. He also became involved in water management. His wife is Queen Máxima. Her father was a minister in Argentina's government. Their relationship caused public debate. Máxima's father agreed not to be at their wedding in 2002.

On December 7, 2003, Queen Máxima gave birth to Princess Catharina-Amalia. She is the first in line to the throne. On June 26, 2005, Princess Alexia was born. On April 10, 2007, Princess Ariane was born. They are second and third in line.

King Willem-Alexander was sworn in and inaugurated in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. This happened during a session of the States-General.

Who is the Heir Apparent?

The heir apparent to the Dutch throne is Amalia, Princess of Orange. She is King Willem-Alexander's eldest daughter.

Religious Affiliation of the Royal Family

The Dutch Royal Family has historically belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church. This church merged into the Protestant Church in the Netherlands in 2004. Some members of the royal family are Roman Catholic. There is no law saying what religion the monarch must be. However, until 1983, marrying a Catholic meant losing rights to the throne. This rule changed in 1983. Now, potential heirs must get parliament's approval before marriage.

Royal Finances and Property

The royal palaces belong to the Dutch state. The reigning monarch can use them. The House of Orange-Nassau owns many personal items. These include paintings, historical artifacts, and jewelry. These items are important for royal duties and decorating palaces. So, they are placed in special trusts. These trusts ensure the items remain available to the monarch forever. Part of the collection is on loan to museums. Queen Juliana sold the remaining royal palaces. She put cultural items into non-personal trusts.

The crown jewels are also in a trust. These include the crown, orb and sceptre, Sword of State, royal banner, and ermine mantle. The trust also holds items for ceremonies, like carriages and dinner services.

The Royal Archives hold the family's personal records. This includes books, photos, and artworks. It also has the library of the House of Orange-Nassau. This library has about 70,000 books and 6,000 music scores.

The Royal House Finances Act (1972) sets allowances for the King (or Queen), the Heir to the Throne, and former monarchs. Their spouses also receive allowances. These allowances have two parts: income and money for staff and materials. They increase or decrease based on changes in civil servant pay and living costs.

Since 2009, the annual state budget shows all costs of the royal house. This makes the finances more transparent. These costs include allowances, expenses for official duties, and other management expenses. Costs for security, state visits, and palace maintenance are paid by other government ministries.

In 2010, the budget for the royal house was about €39.643 million. This included allowances for the King, Queen Máxima, and Princess Beatrix. It also covered expenses for official duties and managing the royal house.

What are the Monarch's Titles?

Most Dutch royal family members hold the title Prince of Orange-Nassau. The children of Prince Friso and Prince Constantijn are counts and countesses. Daughters of Queen Juliana also hold the title Princesses of Lippe-Biesterfeld. The children of Queen Beatrix and their male descendants also use the title Honourable (Jonkheer/Jonkvrouw).

Queen Juliana was also a Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. But this title only passes through the male line. So, her children do not have it.

The title Prince of the Netherlands is for important royal house members. These are children of the monarch and heir. Members can lose this title if they marry without parliament's consent. This happened to Prince Friso.

The Dutch Monarch also has many other historical titles. These show the lands and influence gained by their ancestors. Some of these titles include:

Duke of Limburg
Count of Katzenelnbogen, Vianden, Diez, Spiegelberg, Buren, Leerdam and Culemborg
Marquis of Veere and Vlissingen
Baron of Breda, Diest, Beilstein, Grave, Cuyk, IJsselstein, Cranendonk, Eindhoven and Liesveld
Hereditary Lord and Seigneur of Ameland
Lord of Borculo, Bredevoort, Lichtenvoorde, 't Loo, Geertruidenberg, Klundert, Zevenbergen, Hoge and Lage Zwaluwe, Naaldwijk, Polanen, St Maartensdijk, Soest, Baarn and Ter Eem, Willemstad, Steenbergen, Montfort, St Vith, Bütgenbach and Dasburg
Viscount of Antwerp

The Barony of Breda was very important. It was the center of the Nassau lands in the Netherlands. The Viscountship/Burgravate of Antwerp also gave power in that important city. The Marquisate of Veere helped control votes in the province of Zeeland.

Royal Family vs. Royal House

In the Netherlands, there's a difference between the royal family and the Royal House.

The royal family includes people born into the family or who married into it. But not everyone in the royal family is part of the royal house.

By law, the members of the Royal House are:

The monarch (King or Queen).
The former monarch (after stepping down).
Royal family members in line to the throne who are closely related to the monarch (within two degrees of kinship).
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.
The spouses of the above.

Members of the royal house can lose their membership. They also lose their title as prince or princess of the Netherlands. This happens if they marry without the Dutch Parliament's permission. This is written in the constitution.

Family Tree of Current Members

Juliana of the Netherlands

Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld

Beatrix of the Netherlands*

Prince Claus of the Netherlands
(Claus von Amsberg)

Princess Irene^

Carlos Hugo, Duke of Parma
(div. 1981)

Princess Margriet*^

Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven*^

Princess Christina

Jorge Pérez y Guillermo
(div. 1996)

Bernardo Guillermo^

Eva Marie Valdez^

Nicolás Guillermo^

Juliana Guillermo^

Prince Maurits^

Princess Marilène^

Prince Bernhard^

Princess Annette^

Prince Pieter-Christiaan^

Princess Anita^

Princess Aimée^

Prince Floris^

The Duke of Parma^

The Duchess of Parma^

The Countess of Colorno^

Tjalling Siebe ten Cate^

The Count of Bardi^

The Countess of Bardi^

The Marchioness of Sala^

Albert Brenninkmeijer^

The King*

The Queen*

Prince Friso

Princess Mabel**

Prince Constantijn*

Princess Laurentien*

The Princess of Orange*

Princess Alexia*

Princess Ariane*

Countess Luana

Countess Zaria**

Countess Eloise**

Count Claus-Casimir**

Countess Leonore

Members of the Royal House

The official website lists these members of the royal house:

HM King Willem-Alexander, The King of the Netherlands (the sovereign)
HM Queen Maxima, The Queen of the Netherlands (the king's wife)
HRH Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands (the king's mother and former monarch)
HRH Princess Catharina-Amalia, The Princess of Orange (the king's first daughter and heir)
HRH Princess Alexia of the Netherlands (the king's second daughter)
HRH Princess Ariane of the Netherlands (the king's third daughter)
HRH Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands (the king's brother)
HRH Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands (the king's sister-in-law)
HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands (the king's aunt)
Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven (the king's uncle)

Members of the Royal Family

The royal family includes the royal house members and other legitimate descendants of Queen Juliana:

Descendants of Princess Beatrix
- HRH Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau
  - Countess Luana of Orange-Nassau
  - Countess Zaria of Orange-Nassau
  - Countess Eloise of Orange-Nassau
  - Count Claus-Casimir of Orange-Nassau
  - Countess Leonore of Orange-Nassau
HRH Princess Irene of the Netherlands
- HRH Prince Carlos Xavier, The Duke of Parma and Piacenza
- HRH Princess Annemarie, The Duchess of Parma and Piacenza
  - HRH Prince Hugo de Bourbon de Parme (born to Prince Carlos Xavier and Brigitte Klynstra)
  - HRH Princess Luisa Irene, The Marchioness of Castell'Arquato
  - HRH Princess Cecilia Maria, The Countess of Berceto
  - HRH Prince Carlos, The Prince of Piacenza
- HRH Princess Margarita, The Countess of Colorno
- Mr Tjalling ten Cate
  - Miss Julia ten Cate
  - Miss Paola ten Cate
- HRH Prince Jaime, The Count of Bardi
- HRH Princess Viktória, The Countess of Bardi
  - HRH Princess Zita Clara of Bourbon-Parma
  - HRH Princess Gloria Irene of Bourbon-Parma
- HRH Princess Carolina, The Marchioness of Sala
- Mr Albert Brenninkmeijer
  - Miss Alaïa-Maria Brenninkmeijer
  - Mr Xavier Brenninkmeijer
Descendants of Princess Margriet
- HH Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven
- HH Princess Marilène of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven-van den Broek
  - Miss Anna van Lippe-Biesterfeld van Vollenhoven
  - Mr Lucas van Lippe-Biesterfeld van Vollenhoven
  - Miss Felicia van Lippe-Biesterfeld van Vollenhoven
- HH Prince Bernhard of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven
- HH Princess Annette of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven-Sekrève
  - Miss Isabella van Vollenhoven
  - Mr Samuel van Vollenhoven
  - Mr Benjamin van Vollenhoven
- HH Prince Pieter-Christiaan of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven
- HH Princess Anita of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven-van Eijk
  - Miss Emma van Vollenhoven
  - Mr Pieter van Vollenhoven
- HH Prince Floris of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven
- HH Princess Aimée of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven-Söhngen
  - Miss Magali van Vollenhoven
  - Miss Eliane van Vollenhoven
  - Mr Willem van Vollenhoven
Descendants of the late Princess Christina
- Mr Bernardo Guillermo
- Mrs Eva Guillermo
  - Miss Isabel Guillermo
  - Mr Julián Guillermo
- Mr Nicolás Guillermo
  - Mr Joaquín Guillermo
  - Miss Carmen Guillermo
- Miss Juliana Guillermo
  - Mr Kai Bodhi
  - Mr Numa Bodhi
  - Miss Aida Bodhi

Royal Standards and Monograms

The Dutch royal family uses special royal standards. These are flags based on their coats of arms. They are not exactly the same as the British royal family's flags.