Dutch line the streets to see their Queen

The streets of The Hague were lined with enthousiastic crowds to watch Queen Beatrix and her family travel by 'Golden Carriage' down the tree lined Lange Voorhout from Noordeinde Palace to the Houses of Parliament, and the Knight's Hall (Ridderzaal), to deliver her Speech from the Throne.

The occasion used to be the annual State Opening of Parliament, but since parliament these days is permanently in session, it is no longer called the opening of parliament.

The Queen on this day - always the third Tuesday in September - is accompanied by her eldest son, the future king of the Netherlands, Prince Willem-Alexander, and his wife, Princess Máxima.

They are preceded in a second carriage - the Gala Glass Berline - by Queen Beatrix' sister Princess Margriet, her husband Pieter van Vollenhoven, and Beatrix' youngest son Prince Constantijn and his wie Princess Laurentien.

The Queen's second son, Prince Friso, is no longer present, as he gave up his rights to the throne upon marrying Ms Mabel Wisse Smit in 2004.

The children of Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven, although some of them still have rights to the throne, never took part in the opening of parliament. Except for Prince Pieter-Christiaan, who formed part of the guard of honour.

Queen Beatrix leaves her palace on the dot at 1 P.M. Her departure is marked by the firing of so-called minute shots by the Royal Artillery - one shot per minute, till the Queen re-enters the palace, more than one hour later.

She passes the main building of the Council of State (Raad van State) in the former Kneuterdijk Palace, and turns towards parliament in front of the former Palace Lange Voorhout, where till 1984 the royal family would upon returning from parliament would be applauded by the crowds.

The royal family now appears on the balcony of Noordeinde Palace, allowing for far fewer people to see them.

The day has a special name as well, Prinsjesdag - day of the Princes, an allusion to the 19th century when the Dutch kings would be accompanied by their sons on their way to parliament.

© GPD; Photos by © Royalblog Photo, Marius Cirtiu