Procession of the Golden Coach

On the stroke of one, the Queen, normally accompanied by other members of the Royal House, leaves Noordeinde Palace for the Binnenhof, escorted by court dignitaries and a military escort of honour.

Prinsjesdag 2008: de Koningin, de Prins van Oranje en Prinses Máxima komen in de Gouden Koets op het Binnenhof aan

Outside the palace stand an escort of honour and a military band. The Queen travels to the Binnenhof in the Golden Coach.

During the procession, salutes are fired at one-minute intervals to let the people know that the head of state is on her way to the joint session of the States General.

As the Queen arrives at the Binnenhof, a band by the steps strikes up the "Wilhelmus", the national anthem. The Queen and other members of the Royal House salute the flag and mount the Ridderzaal's steps, above which hangs a canopy.