Visits and events in the Netherlands
Members of the Royal House visit people and organisations of various kinds in different sectors of society. They also frequently attend public events.
King’s Day
Every year members of the Royal House visit designated municipalities to celebrate King’s Day.
Visits to a region
Once or twice a year the King visits a region of the Netherlands to familiarise himself with local social conditions and issues. On such a visit he calls at several places in one day, learning about the problems, opportunities and potential of the region in question.
Working visits
On their working visits, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Princess Beatrix focus on particular social issues, such as agriculture or health care, or matters that are of particular interest to them.
Events
Members of the Royal House attend a wide variety of occasions such as openings, anniversary celebrations, commemorations, exhibitions and other cultural events. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima regularly give speeches and attend conferences.
Announcement of public appearances
The Government Information Service (RVD) announces public appearances by members of the Royal House in advance by means of press releases. The diary contains the events that members of the Royal House will attend in the near future, while the annual overview of the Royal House contains a wide selection of the events they attended in the past year.
Preparation
The Principal Secretary to the King and Queen coordinates the diaries of members of the Royal House. The following are involved in preparing for an event:
- generally an aide-de-camp, often assisted by other Officers of the Royal Household such as a lady-in-waiting, a private secretary and/or a chamberlain;
- the Surveillance and Protection Department (DB&B);
- the Government Information Service;
- local dignitaries.