State Opening of Parliament (Prinsjesdag)

The speech sets out the government's plans for the coming year.

The speech

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 can be found in the Speech archive.