A Dictionary of Dutchness

Prinsjesdag

Always on the third Tuesday of September, Prinsjesdag is the day on which the government presents its annual budget. The queen plays a prominent role, travelling to parliament in a golden coach, where she delivers a speech outlining the government’s vision for the coming year. Then it is the finance minister’s moment of glory as he explains how he is going to spend tax-payers’ money. Most of the spending plans have actually already been leaked by the press in the weeks before budget day. The occasion is almost as famous for its hats as for its financial implications.