Dutch Royal FAQs

Who is the present monarch of The Netherlands?
Queen Beatrix is the present monarch.  She succeeded to the throne on 30 April, 1980 upon the abdication of her mother, Queen Juliana.


What is Queen Beatrix' address?
All members of the Royal House can be contacted using the following address:
Noordeinde Palace
[Name of Royal House member]
Postbus 30412
2500 GK Den Haag
The Netherlands


What are the current laws of succession?
The Netherlands line of succession to the throne is based upon cognatic primogeniture where males and females have equal succession rights.


What is the Dutch Royal Family’s last name?
The Dutch Royal Family’s last name is van Orange-Nassau.


How does one address the Royal Family?
The Queen is addressed as Her Majesty The Queen.  Her sisters, and her sons (and their wives) are addressed as His/Her Royal Highness Prince/ss Xxxx.  The sons of Princess Margriet (and their wives) are addressed as His/Her Highness Prince Xxxx.  In addition, the children of The Prince of Orange are also HRH. 


Can a member of the Dutch Royal Family marry whomever s/he chooses?
Princes and Princesses must have the consent of the monarch and the government.


How long has there been a monarchy in The Netherlands?
The current monarchy began in 1813, with Willem I as Sovereign Prince of The United Netherlands.  In 1815, the monarchy was confirmed at the Congress of Vienna, and Willem I became King of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as Grand Duke of Luxembourg.  (At the time, the United Kingdom of the Netherlands included Belgium, until 1831.)


Which Kings/ Queens have abdicated in The Netherlands?

• King Willem I abdicated on 7 October 1840 and was known from then on as Count of Nassau.
• Queen Wilhelmina abdicated on 4 September 1948.
• Queen Juliana abdicated on 30 April 1980.

What does the Dutch flag mean?
The Dutch flag has three horizontal bands of the colors red, white and blue.  The Dutch tricolor was first used in the 16th century when the Dutch provinces revolted against Spain.  Originally orange, white and blue, the orange was later changed to red.  More information can be found at Flags of the World.


What is the Royal Family’s coat of arms?
Information about the Royal Coat of Arms can be found at: Coat of Arms of The Netherlands.

How is Queen Beatrix related to other European Monarchs?

Belgium: Queen Beatrix and King Albert II are third cousins, once removed.  They are descendants of Wilhelm von Nassau-Weilburg, Duke of Nassau.

Denmark: Queen Beatrix and Queen Margrethe II are second cousins, once removed.  They are descendants of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Monaco: Queen Beatrix and Prince Albert II are sixth cousins once removed. They are descendants several times of Ludwig IX, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt.

Norway: Queen Beatrix and King Harald V are third cousins, once removed.  They are descendants of Wilhelm von Nassau-Weilburg, Duke of Nassau.

Sweden: Queen Beatrix and King Carl XVI Gustaf are third cousins.  They are descendants of Prince Georg Victor II of Waldek and Pyrmont.

United Kingdom: Queen Beatrix and Queen Elizabeth II are fifth cousins.  They are descendants of Friedrich II of Württemberg.