Prinsjesdag, the tradition-laden state opening of the parliamentary year is to get a facelift after declining crowds and an increase in protests directed at the royals, forces officials to rethink their approach. <\/p>\n
Every year the king and queen drive through The Hague in a horse-drawn carriage, on their way to perform the opening ceremony. And on their return to their Noordeinde palace, they stand on the balcony for a few minutes and wave at the crowds. <\/p>\n
But fewer people have been showing up to watch the procession and the royals have had to face jeers and demonstrations, particularly during the coronavirus era. <\/p>\n
Now, officials from the royal household, the upper and lower chambers of parliament, and the government are putting together a new plan to boost the publics involvement in Prinsjesdag, documents which have been leaked to broadcaster NOS show. <\/p>\n
Some of the traditional elements, such as the procession of four coaches, the kings reading of a speech outlining government policy, and the balcony scene will be retained. But new elements will be added in, including some sort of walk-about by the royals to meet the public, NOS said. <\/p>\n
One suggestion is a public concert on the square next to the parliamentary complex which should be similar in atmosphere to the events hosted by popular classical music conductor Andr Rieu in Maastricht. <\/p>\n
Other ideas include encouraging everyone to wear a hat, a performance by an artist who is popular with the young, open days at the various palaces and other royal buildings in The Hague, and a food truck festival. <\/p>\n
The first changes should be visible on September 17 when the next Prinsjesdag takes place, but it is unclear as yet what they are likely to be. <\/p>\n
The governments spending plans for the following year are always presented on the third Tuesday in September. <\/p>\n
According to research published last November, 50% of the general population support the monarchy but 26% would like the Netherlands to become a republic. <\/p>\n
Among the under 35s, almost four in 10 support the monarchy but 34% consider themselves republicans. Eleven years ago, when Willem-Alexander was sworn in as king, 80% of the population backed the monarchy. <\/p>\n
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Food trucks and concerts: Prinsjesdag to get populist overhaul - DutchNews.nl<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Prinsjesdag, the tradition-laden state opening of the parliamentary year is to get a facelift after declining crowds and an increase in protests directed at the royals, forces officials to rethink their approach. Continue reading