State Opening of Parliament (Prinsjesdag)
On Prinsjesdag, the Queen delivers her Speech from the Throne to a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives.
The speech sets out the government's
plans for the coming year. Article 65 of the Constitution refers to the
Speech from
the Throne as follows: "A statement of the policy to be pursued by the
government shall be given by or on behalf of the King before a joint session
of the two Houses of the States General that shall be held every year on the
third Tuesday in September or on such earlier date as may be prescribed by
Act of Parliament."
The Constitution does not stipulate the speech's length, content or order, which may vary from year to year.
The most recent Speeches from the Throne: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999.