Budget Day The Hague

On budget day tradition and parliamentary democracy go hand-in-hand. It is the monarch who announces the government’s plans for the new budgetary year, but the ministers are responsible. They sit in the Knights’ Hall, together with the members of the States General. Only the women still wear a hat to mark the occasion. On this day, the Hague turns out in force – everyone wants to catch a glimpse of the royal cavalcade. The military guard of honour stands stiffly to attention, shoes burnished to shine. Behind them are the ordinary people, a diverse bunch, each of them an individual. They won’t stand to attention, not even for Her Majesty.