Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather in central The Hague to watch the traditional coach procession by queen Beatrix and other members of the royal family on their way to parliament this afternoon for the formal opening of the political year.

Queen Beatrix will give her traditional Prinjsesdag speech to MPs, outlining the government’s plans for the coming year.
Later, in parliament itself, finance minister Wouter Bos will present his first financial statement, detailing the state of the economy and spending plans for the coming year.