The Senate and the House of Representatives held their traditional Joint Assembly on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, to mark the opening of the parliamentary year on Prinsjesdag. King Willem-Alexander delivered the throne speech on behalf of the government, outlining plans for 2026.
Opening
The acting Chair of the Senate, Mei Li Vos, chaired the Joint Assembly. She opened the meeting with the words: The Joint Assembly of the States General, as referred to in Article 65 of the Constitution, is opened. She then appointed a Committee of Reception consisting of nine members who welcomed the King and other members of the Royal House upon their arrival. This committee was led by the Chair of the House of Representatives, Martin Bosma, and included Senate members Niko Koffeman (PvdD), Theo Rietkerk (CDA), Ilse Bezaan (PVV) and House members Tom van der Lee (GroenLinks-PvdA), Bente Becker (VVD), Ulysse Ellian (PVV) and Inge van Dijk (CDA).
Elections
It was the first time that Princess Ariane was present. She reached voting age in April. Together with her peers, she can cast her vote for the first time in the House of Representatives elections on October 29. Chair Vos stated that this is an important moment: Elections are, after all, the celebration of democracy. They are the moment when all Dutch citizens aged eighteen and older can choose who represents them. In our democratic rule of law, this proportional representation is of utmost importance. Let us cherish that.
Students
Outside the Royal Theatre, both Chambers, in collaboration with ProDemos, received four classes from three schools: Twents Carmel College from Oldenzaal, Pascal Zuid from Zaandam, and CSG Liudger from Drachten. The students received an explanation of the Joint Assembly, the procession, and could follow the throne speech through a game. After the Joint Assembly, they were given a tour of the theatre and had discussions with Senate member Willemijn Aerdts (D66) and with Menno de Bruyne, former spokesperson for the SGP.
