Queen Beatrix will formally open the political year with her speech from the throne on Tuesday afternoon, as the annual Prinsjesdag or budget presentation takes place.

But while the queen’s speech has remained under wraps, the government’s actual 2012 spending plans have already been in the public domain since Thursday.
The queen and members of the royal family will make the traditional horse-drawn coach trip to the parliamentary complex in the centre of The Hague this afternoon, where the queen will outline the government’s plans for next year.
Prinsjesdag, as budget day is known, is also nicknamed ‘hat day’ because of the extravagant headgear worn by many ministers, MPs and their guests.
Parliament
Once the queen has read her speech, finance minister Jan Kees de Jager will present the spending plans to parliament.
MPs have been free to comment on the plans since last week, but agreed not to debate them until after the queen’s speech.
MPs and ministers hold a formal debate on the plans on Wednesday and Thursday.
The tone of next year’s plans is sombre, with cuts set to affect most of the population and spending power falling across the board.