Regalia of the Netherlands
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In comparison to many European monarchies' regalia, the Dutch Regalia are relatively new, having been commissioned by King Willem II in 1840. An earlier, more modest set of regalia made of silver were commissioned by King William I in 1815.[1]
The regalia of the Netherlands consist of the following:
- the crown, symbolising the sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which presently consists of the Netherlands in Western Europe and two overseas territories in the Caribbean: the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. It also symbolises the dignity of the Sovereign as head of state. The crown was manufactured by the Amsterdam goldsmith Bonebakker. It is made of gilded silver, adourned with coloured stones and pearls.[2]
- the sceptre, symbolising the reigning King or Queen’s authority;
- the orb, symbolising the Sovereign territory;
Both sceptre and orb were made by court jeweler Meijer from The Hague. [3]
- the sword of state, standing for the Monarch's power;
- the Gonfalon of State (Rijksvaandel or Rijksbanier), a banner of white moiré silk suspended from a gilded spear, painted with the coat of arms of the Netherlands as decreed on the 24th of August 1815, symbolising the nation. The arms of the Netherlands have changed since 1815, but the depiction on the gonfalon has not.[4] The artwork was by Batholomeüs Johannes van Hove.[5]
Usage
Dutch monarchs have never been physically crowned. During royal inaugurations, the crown, sceptre and orb are displayed on a table in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, where the inaugurations take place. The Gonfalon of State and Sword of State are carried in the royal procession from Dam Palace to the Church and are held on either side of the royal dais in the Church during the swearing in ceremony. [6]
References
- ^ A.J.P.H. van Cruyningen, De inhuldiging van de Nederlandse vorst. Van Willem Frederik tot Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard (unpublished MA thesis, Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen, 1989) 61.
- ^ Van Cruyningen, 61-62.
- ^ Van Cruyningen, 62.
- ^ Kl. Sierksma, Nederlands vlaggenboek. Vlaggen van Nederland, provincies en gemeenten (Utrecht/Antwerpen: Het Spectrum 1962, 17.
- ^ http://beeldbank.nationaalarchief.nl/na:col1:dat534445
- ^ Van Cruyningen, passim.
External links