Prinsjesdag (Prince's Day)

Goede Dag (Good Day) Internet!

So today The Hague celebrated a federal holiday called Prinsjesdag- which translates to Prince's Day. Unfortunately it is not the day that they give out Disney Princes to everyone (believe me I would have skipped work for that). It in fact doesn't have much to do with princes at all. The holiday celebrates the annual opening of Parliament. Which, I guess is kind of weird for Parliament. It's like a giant first day of work party for them, only they're not invited because they have to go to work. But it's probably cool with them because they work in this place.  

You'd be a little more excited to go to work if your work had a sweet fountain. 

So on Prince's Day the King (or Queen depending on who is the monarch. Women can inherit the throne in the Netherlands because apparently they got the memo that it's the 21st Century) addresses Parliament. The current monarch is King Willem-Alexander, who inherited the throne last year when his mother Queen Beatrix stepped down. Most likely so she could fight crime as a superhero.  

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The fun part about the King going to Parliament (besides the speech- because political and economic goals am I right?) is that to get to Parliament he rides in the Golden Coach (Gouden Koets). And there's a parade. Which means so school! Unfortunately I stupidly became an adult at some point so I  had to work. No parade for me. Which means no pictures of the parade for you. But trust me, it happened.

Here is another picture of that cool fountain to make up for it.

And one more.