Dutch King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, Princess Laurentien and Prince Constantijn (L to R) wave to people on the balcony of Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands, Sept. 17, 2019, on "Prinsjesdag", the Prince's Day. The Prince's Day is held every year in The Hague on the third Tuesday of September, which marks the opening of the parliamentary year. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua)
THE HAGUE, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The traditional opening day of the parliamentary year in the Netherlands held no major surprises on a political level, but the beard of King Willem-Alexander and the absence of one minister were new on Tuesday in The Hague.
The 52-year-old King Willem-Alexander was already seen with a beard in August, but the question in the Netherlands was if he would still have it on this special day. And yes, he did. Willem-Alexander still had it, a red beard, officially part of his image now.
"Prinsjesdag" -- Prince's Day, also known as Budget Day -- is held every year in The Hague on the third Tuesday of September. It is not only about the opening of the parliamentary year, but also a day of many other traditions. According to tradition, female politicians wore their most extravagant hats and male members of parliament (MPs) their most formal dress. Queen Maxima wore a ruby red dress with a hat of the same color.
King Willem-Alexander traveled with Maxima in a glass coach from Noordeinde Palace to the Hall of Knights in The Hague, where ministers, state secretaries, MPs and other guests were assembled for his speech.
For the first time, the full government was not present in the hall. Foreign Minister Stef Blok was absent, because he was appointed to be the so-called "designated survivor." He would be the minister to lead the country in case of an attack on the government on Prinsjesdag. Blok actually was in Strasbourg, France, on Tuesday to visit the European Parliament.
In the so-called "Speech from the Throne," the King issued the message and plans of the Dutch government, like every year. This time, he memorized the start of Operation Market Garden, the military operation that started exactly 75 years ago to liberate the Netherlands in World War II.
"Now, 75 years later, freedom, democracy and a strong rule of law seem natural values," the King stated. "But whoever looks at the world realizes how special it is to live in a country where people can feel safe. In which freedom is combined with tolerance and a sense of responsibility."
The economic message contained a warning. "The reality is that the Netherlands will enter a phase of more moderate growth in the coming years," he said. "Our internationally oriented economy is vulnerable to disturbances on the world market, mainly due to trade conflicts. Moreover, the threatening Brexit casts its shadow ahead. A profit warning applies for both the short and the long term."
The King emphasized that international relationships are different now than in the past. "The position of countries, such as China and India, as economic and political powers and the position of Russia are changing the geopolitical relationships," he said. "The old and valuable partnerships with the United States and Britain are partly different. Free world trade is threatened by protectionism and trade disputes. The Netherlands and Europe must respond to this self-consciously and with realism."
Climate also was a main part of the "Speech from the Throne." "The generations after us are entitled to a good pension, clean air and a livable country," he said. "The major changes that are required require a forward-looking perspective. The choice for a climate-neutral Netherlands in 2050 is just as necessary and equally promising."
After the King's concluding remarks, the audience in the hall, as per tradition, shouted "Long live the King" and the King and the Queen boarded the glass coach again to move to the Noordeinde Palace for a traditional balcony scene, watched by hundreds of fans under sunny skies.
Dutch Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra, meanwhile, moved to the House of Representatives to present an overview of the costs of the plans by opening a ceremonial briefcase holding the "Miljoenennota," the national budget plan.
"Prinsjesdag" went by without incidents, so Foreign Minister Blok could return to The Hague without a new major task.
