Civil Household

The Civil Household is the collective name given to the non-military staff of the Royal Household. It is made up of various services, offices and advisers.

• Grand Master
  The Grand Master manages the day-to-day affairs of the Royal Household. He is also the Queen’s first adviser and manages her visits abroad. The Office of the Master of Ceremonies coordinates important Court events and visits abroad, including state visits.
• Mistress of the Robes
  The Mistress of the Robes maintains social contacts on behalf of the Queen, for instance with heads of diplomatic missions and members of the International Court of Justice. She also accompanies the Queen on visits abroad.
• Secretariats
  Headed by: Principal Secretary
  The secretariats perform secretarial duties for the Queen and the other members of the Royal House and make the initial preparations for events in the Netherlands. There are private secretaries for the Queen, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima, and Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven. The other members of the Royal House share a private secretariat. The Principal Secretary liaises with the Government Information Service.
• Treasury
  Headed by: Treasurer
  This department manages the finances of the Royal House. For more information, see Finance.
• Office of the Master of Ceremonies
  Headed by: Master of Ceremonies
  This office coordinates events in the Netherlands and abroad, including state visits, as well as giving advice on matters of ceremony and protocol.
• Department of the Marshal of the Court
  Headed by: Marshal of the Court
  This department, which includes the royal footmen, provides domestic services, organises receptions, and looks after guests of the Royal House.
• Office of the Comptroller of the Royal Palaces
  Headed by: Comptroller
  This office is in charge of the daily maintenance and management of all royal residences. Its responsibilities include looking after interior furnishings, gardens and internal security.
• Royal Stables
  Headed by: Crown Equerry
  The Royal Stables is in charge of transport for the members of the Royal House and the Court. For more information, see Royal Stables.
• Chamberlains
  The Queen has a chamberlain for every province and large city. They advise, accompany and represent the Queen in their district.
• Ladies-in-waiting
  Six ladies-in-waiting advise and assist the Queen and other female members of the Royal House in preparing for events, and accompany them on these occasions.
• Personnel Department
  Headed by: Director of Personnel
  The Personnel Department handles all matters regarding the legal status of personnel employed by the Royal Household. Two in-house welfare officers are on staff.
• Royal Archives
  Headed by: Director of the Royal Archives
  The Royal Archives manages the archives of the House of Orange-Nassau and of the Royal Household, the library and the museum collection of the House of Orange-Nassau Historic Collections Trust.
• Chief Forester
  The Chief Forester is in charge of the royal forests of Het Loo and the manager of Het Loo Crown Estate.

Honorary household

In addition to the working household, there is an honorary household.  Former members of the household can be called upon to help with major events.