Understand
[edit]While the Netherlands were an early republic during the Dutch Golden Age, the country has been a hereditary monarchy since 1815. The Dutch monarch, since 2013 King Willem-Alexander, is an inviolable member of the executive government.
Belgium has been a constitutional monarchy since the country's independence in 1830, ruled by King Philippe since 2013.
Luxembourg is ruled by Grand Duke Henri since 2000.
Map of Benelux monarchies
Destinations
[edit]- 1 Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis), Dam (Amsterdam/Binnenstad). The Royal Palace is one of the three official palaces of the Netherlands. It was built in 1651 as the city hall of Amsterdam.
- 2 Paleis Huis ten Bosch (The Hague). While the surrounding park is open, the palace itself is not open to visitors.
- 3 Paleis Noordeinde (Noordeinde Palace) (The Hague). This is the royal palace that King Willem-Alexander uses as his office. While the inside is not open to the public, the 17th-century façade can be seen from Noordeinde street, which also has a large number of art galleries.
- 4 Royal Palace (Palais Royal/Koninklijk Paleis), Place des Palais/Paleizenplein (Brussels/Pentagon). The ceremonial royal palace, where foreign statesmen are received by the King of Belgium. Has a park out front.
- 5 Grand Ducal Palace (Luxembourg (city)). Fully restored during the 1990s. It also houses the Luxembourgish Parliament the Chamber of Deputies.
