Golden Carriage

The Golden Carriage with Prince Willem-Alexander, Queen Beatrix, and Princess Máxima

The Golden Carriage on Prinsjesdag in The Hague

The Golden Carriage (Dutch: Gouden Koets) is a carriage owned and used by the Dutch royal family. Generally, the Golden Carriage is used yearly to bear the Dutch monarch from the Noordeinde Palace to the Ridderzaal in order to pronounce the Speech from the Throne. The carriage is made of teak wood, much of which is covered in gold leaf. It is decorated with paintings and symbolic ornaments. The carriage was built in Dutch Renaissance style. It is pulled by eight horses when the reigning monarch is riding therein; only six horses when other members of the royal family are travelling in the coach. Queen Wilhelmina wanted to be able to stand upright in the carriage, which explains the bent form of the carriage's roof. This increased height of the carriage has made the carriage more difficult to drive.

History

Queen Wilhelmina received the Golden Carriage at her 1898 investiture as a tribute from the citizens of Amsterdam. The carriage was designed and built by the Spijker brothers.

Because Queen Wilhelmina wished not to receive gifts on the day of her enthronement on September 6, 1898, she actually took receipt of the Golden Carriage the following day.

The vehicle was first used on the occasion of the marriage of Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Hendrik on February 7, 1901. Since 1903, it has mainly been used once a year, on the day of the Queen's speech (Prinsjesdag).

Other occasions when the carriage has been used are:

• the marriage of Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard (1937)
• the baptism of Princess Beatrix (1938)
• the marriage of Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus (1966)
• the marriage of Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima (2002)