On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the government will present its plans for 2026 in a Joint Assembly of the States-General. In the Joint Assembly, chaired by acting First Chamber President Mei Li Vos, the 150 members of the House of Representatives and the 75 members of the First Chamber will meet together. King Willem-Alexander will then deliver the throne speech on behalf of the government. This year, Princess Ariane will also attend the Joint Assembly, as she turned 18 in April. The Joint Assembly will start at 1:00 PM and will be broadcast live by NOS.

Attendees

In addition to the members of the First and Second Chambers, the members of the Council of Ministers (the ministers from the Netherlands and the three countries in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom), the Council of State, representatives of other High Colleges of State, the judiciary, and the diplomatic corps, and other invitees will also be present at the Joint Assembly on Princes Day. As every year, there will also be Dutch citizens in the hall who have registered to attend the Joint Assembly, just like citizens representing the twelve provinces.

Opening of the meeting

The President of the Joint Assembly opens the meeting with the words: The Joint Assembly of the States-General, as referred to in Article 65 of the Constitution, is opened. The Committee of Reception and Farewell accompanies the king and members of the Royal House upon arrival and departure from the Royal Theatre. The committee consists of members of the First and Second Chambers. The composition changes every year. The President of the House of Representatives, Martin Bosma, is the President of the committee.

Briefcase

Later on Tuesday, at 3:30 PM, outgoing Minister Heinen of Finance will present the famous briefcase in the plenary hall of the House of Representatives. The briefcase contains the Miljoenennota and the national budgets. The national budgets contain the proposals for expenditures, obligations, and revenues of the national government for the coming year, per ministry, and the priorities for the upcoming budget year. The Miljoenennota provides an overarching explanation of the national budgets. The Miljoenennota summarizes the main plans and choices of the cabinet and what these plans cost. In addition, the economic and financial situation of the Netherlands is described.

Following Princes Day

Current information on Princes Day itself can be found on this website and on the social media channels of the First and Second Chambers. NOS broadcasts the Joint Assembly, the carriage ride, and the presentation of the briefcase live starting at 12:25 PM on NPO 2.

Program for the session of the Joint Assembly of the States-General

1:00 PM

The President opens the meeting. He then appoints the Committee of Reception and Farewell, which will welcome and accompany the head of state and members of the Royal House.

Following this, the ministers, state secretaries, and members of the Council of State will join the Joint Assembly.

1:05 PM

The royal entourage departs from Palace Noordeinde.

1:15 PM

The king, queen, and members of the Royal House arrive at the Royal Theatre. The royal entourage is received and escorted to their seats by members of the reception committee.

Upon the kings arrival, the brass quintet of the Residentie Orchestra performs Il Discorso della Corona by composer Jurriaan Andriessen.

King Willem-Alexander gives an exposition of the policy to be pursued by the government for 2026 in the so-called throne speech.

Upon the departure of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and the other members of the Royal House, the ensemble of the Residentie Orchestra performs the Hymn for the States-General by composer Johan de Meij.

The President of the Joint Assembly relieves the Committee of Reception and Farewell of its duties and then closes the meeting.

Royal Theatre

Due to the renovation of the Binnenhof, the Joint Assembly has not been held in the Ridderzaal since 2022, but in the Royal Theatre in The Hague.