Prinsjesdag, Second Tuesday in September (09/15/09)

As directed by the constitution of The Netherlands, the reigning monarch address the joint session of congress.  Known as Day of the Princes, originally used to inform the law making body what the wishes of the royalty where for them to consider for the up coming year, now that the Queen is head of state only symbolically the speech is written by the Prime Minister and the cabinet.  Like many other countries that retain a royal head of state, the ceremony is filled with pomp and circumstance though the date on which it is given has changed to accommodate present needs such as more time to look over the budget that is presented.

The actual speech is known as the Speech from the Throne and is given in the Ridderzaal, located in The Hague.

Throne of the Netherlands