Prinsjesdag takes place on the third Tuesday of September, bringing extensive security measures, road closures, and ceremonial processions to the centre of The Hague.
Members of parliament will walk to the Koninklijke Schouwburg at 12:00, ahead of the formal joint sitting opening at 13:00. At the same time, the royal procession departs Paleis Noordeinde in the Glass Coach, accompanied by court officials, mounted police, a military band, and defence personnel.
The carriage will follow a route through Noordeinde, Heulstraat, Kneuterdijk, Lange Voorhout, and Korte Voorhout, arriving at the theatre at 13:20. Salute shots will be fired from the Malieveld every minute during the journey.
Following the speech from the throne, the procession returns along the identical path by 13:50, leading up to the balcony appearance at Paleis Noordeinde around 14:00. The Minister of Finance presents the national budget briefcase in parliament at 15:30.
Extensive closures for cars and transit
Dozens of central streets face traffic closures between 06:00 and roughly 16:00, with an additional ring of streets closing from 10:00. The municipality warns that police may close extra approach routes if necessary, with reopenings expected around 16:00.
Several parking facilities are shut, including the garages at Tournooiveld, Heulstraat, and the Pleingarage. On-street parking bans cover many streets across the centre, and improperly parked vehicles risk being towed.
Public transport faces disruptions as well. HTM tram lines 1, 15, 16, and 17, alongside bus routes 22, 24, and 28, are operating on diverted schedules.
Rules for pedestrians and cyclists
Bicycles and mopeds may not be parked along the procession route between midnight and 16:00, with visitors directed to free guarded bike parking facilities in the city.
The procession route is fenced off on both sides, blocking ordinary crossings. Pedestrians may cross at specific points until 11:30, after which crossings are restricted to designated crossing points until about 14:30.
