NETHERLANDS: Royal Palaces and Royal Stables

Noordeinde Palace is in the centre of The Hague. 

Compared to other European palaces, Noordeinde is modest. 

Interestingly, it is centrally located on one of The Hague's posh shopping streets. 

It is no longer a residence but is the King’s place of work. 

The palace is the property of the State and includes the Royal Stables. 

Noordeinde Palace is not open to the public because it is still in use as a working palace. 

Except.... they open it to the public once a year for a very limited time, and timing was perfect for us!

Since it is a working palace King Williem-Alexander and his staff have their offices there. The Royal Household has a staff of over 300 people. 

This room is set up for a meeting during the Open House.

While I was there I did not see any work cubicles. 

Now that doesn't mean to say they don't have any, it just means I never saw any.

This is the view from the balcony when the Royal Family greets the public. 

I also didn't see anyone dressed like this. 

But that is probably due to the fact that I had not received a formal invitation to the Palace. 

The stables house the horses, carriages and vehicles that belong to the Royal Household.

The Royal Stables is responsible for transporting all the members of the Royal House and Officers of the Royal Household. Members of the Royal House may also use the royal train and the government aeroplane, which the King often flies himself.

The Show Stopper is the Golden Carriage. It was a gift from the people of Amsterdam to Queen Wilhelmina, when she ascended to the throne at the age of 18. The carriage is made of wood and is covered by a layer of gold leaf. 

The images on the carriage have countless allegorical symbols if you know your mythology, religion and history. 

The Golden Carriage is only used once a year, on Prince's Day (opening of the parliamentary year).

The Stables also house the harness room. The ceremonial harnesses are used on occasions such as the state opening of parliament, state visits, and royal weddings and funerals. Ordinary tack is used for the horses’ day-to-day exercise. 

There is another Royal Palace in Amsterdam located in the centre of the city on Dam Square. The Royal Palace is also owned by the state and is at the King's disposal by an Act of Parliament. It is open to the public for tours.

The palace was originally built as a city hall during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century  The watch tower was conveniently able to watch ships unloading to ensure that all taxes were paid. 

Renowned sculptors and famous painters were brought to Amsterdam to work on the Town Hall. 

The central aim of the decoration was to symbolise the wealth and power of Amsterdam and the Dutch Republic.

The interior architecture and sculptures are stunning.

Amazing to think that this was constructed as a Town Hall, not a Palace for a monarch. It was specifically designed to collect taxes and impress merchants. It certainly impressed me!

Then Napoleon swept through Europe and crowned his brother as King Louis I of Holland in 1806. Louis Napoleon moved to Amsterdam, and converted the Town Hall into a royal palace for himself.

The Royal Palace in Amsterdam is open to the public and now used mainly for entertaining and official functions, such as state visits, New Year receptions and other official occasions. 

So you may be wondering where the Royal Family lives if they don't live in the Palace in The Hague or in the Palace in Amsterdam. 

Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague is the residential palace of the Dutch Royal Family. The palace is located in the Haagse Bos forest. 

Surprisingly, the moat and multiple fences gave a clear message that I was not going to be invited in.