Back Nederlandse monargie AF الملكية في هولندا Arabic ملكية نيديرلاند ARZ Нідэрландская манархія BE Reis dels Països Baixos Catalan Nizozemská monarchie Czech Μοναρχία των Κάτω Χωρών Greek Monarquía de los Países Bajos Spanish Madalmaade kuningas ET Alankomaiden hallitsija Finnish
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2024) |
| King of the Netherlands | |
|---|---|
| Koning der Nederlanden | |
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| Incumbent | |
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| Willem-Alexander since 30 April 2013 | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Majesty |
| Heir apparent | Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange |
| First monarch | William I |
| Formation | 16 March 1815 |
| Residence | |
| Website | www |
| Part of the Politics series |
![Azure, billetty Or a lion with a coronet Or armed and langued Gules holding in his dexter paw a sword Argent hilted Or and in the sinister paw seven arrows Argent pointed and bound together Or. [The seven arrows stand for the seven provinces of the Union of Utrecht.] The shield is crowned with the (Dutch) royal crown and supported by two lions Or armed and langued gules. They stand on a scroll Azure with the text (Or) "Je Maintiendrai" (French for "I will maintain".)](view_image.php?q=Monarchy_of_the_Netherlands&sq=crain_ford&lang=en&file=File:State_coat_of_arms_of_the_Netherlands.svg) |
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 Politics portal |
The monarchy of the Netherlands is governed by the country's constitution, roughly a third of which explains the mechanics of succession, accession, and abdication; the roles and duties of the monarch; the formalities of communication between the States General of the Netherlands; and the monarch's role in creating laws. The monarch is the head of state and the de jure head of government of the Netherlands.
The once-sovereign provinces of the Spanish Netherlands were intermittently ruled by members of the House of Orange-Nassau from 1559, when Philip II of Spain appointed William the Silent (William of Orange) as a stadtholder, until 1795, when the last stadtholder, William V, Prince of Orange, fled the country. William the Silent became the leader of the Dutch Revolt and of the independent Dutch Republic. Some of his descendants were later appointed as stadtholders by the provinces and, in 1747, the role of stadtholder became a hereditary position in all provinces of the thus "crowned" Dutch Republic.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands (not to be confused with the constituent country of the Netherlands) has been an hereditary monarchy since 16 March 1815. Following the abdication of his mother Queen Beatrix, Willem-Alexander has been King of the Netherlands since 30 April 2013.