A royal first for Princess Ariane

It was a royal first for Princess Ariane of the Netherlands as she attended Prinsjesdag for the first time.

As Ariane is now 18, she was able to join her older sisters, Princesses Amalia and Alexia, at the important event.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were joined by their three daughters for the first time. The King’s younger brother, Prince Constantijn and his wife, Princess Laurentien, also attended as members of the Royal House.

They arrived at the Ridderzaal in carriages 

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King Willem-Alexander sat on the throne to read the government’s speech before the States-General of the Netherlands (the Senate and House of Representatives).

The King, who read a speech drafted by the Cabinet, spoke of the importance of working together and getting along. He was addressing the government and society as a whole, but specifically spoke to the Cabinet.

“The cabinet is convinced that this also requires an open, listening attitude and a willingness to compromise. Debate and differences of opinion are part of a vibrant democracy,” he said.

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His Majesty also stressed the importance of compromise. The Netherlands will hold its fourth general election in nine years next month.

King Willem-Alexander stated: “Unfortunately, people in the Netherlands seem increasingly to be at loggerheads — on the street, online, at our universities, and not least in The Hague. … They have entrenched opinions for or against, black or white. As if one person being right automatically makes another wrong, while in reality the situation is almost always far more complex than that.”

After the Speech from the Throne, the Royal Family travelled in carriages and appeared on the balcony of Noordeinde Palace to greet the crowds.

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Prince’s Day (Prinsjesdag) took place in the Netherlands on 16 September. It’s held annually on the third Tuesday of September, and the King delivers his Speech from the Throne to open parliament for the year.