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Kingdom of the Netherlands

Kingdom of the Netherlands, 1815 to today. Draft, not yet reviewed

The Netherlands regained its independence from France in 1813 as the Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands, after having been annexed by the First French Empire in 1810. Slavery was abolished by law in Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean colonies on 1 July 1863. In Suriname, however, many formerly enslaved people were required to continue plantation labour under state supervision for another ten years. By the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as enacted in 1954, a composite state was created, consisting of the Netherlands (proper), Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles.

Seat of power: Amsterdam

Rulers

William I of the Netherlands

King of the Netherlands, 1815–1840

As king, he adopted a new constitution, presided over strong economic and industrial progress, promoted trade and founded the universities of Leuven, Ghent and Liège. The imposition of the Reformed faith and the Dutch language, as well as feelings of economic inequity, caused widespread resentment in the southern provinces and led to the outbreak of the Belgian Revolution in 1830. William failed to crush the rebellion and in 1839 he accepted the independence of Belgium in accordance with the Treaty of London.

Portrait of William I of the Netherlands: Joseph Paelinck, Public domain, file

William II of the Netherlands

King of the Netherlands, 1840–1849

Warned that the revolution might spread to the Netherlands next, William decided to institute a more liberal regime. He chose a committee headed by the prominent liberal Johan Rudolf Thorbecke to create a new constitution, which was instituted on 17 March 1848.

Portrait of William II of the Netherlands: Nicolaas Pieneman, Public domain, file

William III of the Netherlands

King of the Netherlands, 1849–1890

In the first two decades of his reign, he dismissed several cabinets and disbanded parliament several times. He was able to install royal cabinets which ruled as long as there was support in the elected second chamber of parliament. In what became known as the "Luxembourg Coup of 1856", William unilaterally instituted a new, reactionary constitution for Luxembourg, which he ruled personally, separate from the Dutch crown.

Portrait of William III of the Netherlands: Maria Elisabeth Hille, Public domain, file

Wilhelmina of the Netherlands

King of the Netherlands, 1890–1948

Wilhelmina became generally popular for maintaining Dutch neutrality during the First World War and solving many of her country's industrial problems. Following the German invasion of the Netherlands in 1940, Wilhelmina fled to Britain and took charge of the Dutch government-in-exile. She frequently spoke to the nation over radio and came to be regarded as a symbol of the Dutch resistance.

Portrait of Wilhelmina of the Netherlands: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file

Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont

Head of state, 1890–1898

Queen Emma served as regent for her daughter, Queen Wilhelmina, during the latter's minority from 1890 until 1898. As regent, Emma presided over three cabinets. During her government, she took Wilhelmina on tours through the provinces to visit local charities, hospitals, churches and factories and acquaint Wilhelmina with her future duties.

Portrait of Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont: Herbert Rose Barraud, Public domain, file

Juliana of the Netherlands

King of the Netherlands, 1948–1980

Her reign saw the decolonization and independence of the Dutch East Indies and Suriname, and the creation and dissolution of the Netherlands-Indonesia Union, of which she served as head of state. On 27 December 1949 at Dam Palace in Amsterdam, Queen Juliana signed the papers that recognised Indonesian sovereignty over the former Dutch colony. On 15 December 1954, the Queen announced that the nation's Caribbean possessions of the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname were to be reconstituted as constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, making them equal partners with the mainland.

Portrait of Juliana of the Netherlands: Max Koot, CC0, file

Beatrix of the Netherlands

King of the Netherlands, 1980–2013

Her role was largely ceremonial and as a focus of national unity, she did not make legislative or executive decisions. She signed all new Acts of Parliament and royal decrees, and until a constitutional change late in her reign, appointed the informateur, an official who is responsible for chairing coalition talks in the formation of new governments. Beatrix's reign saw the country's Caribbean territories reshaped with Aruba's secession and becoming its own constituent country within the kingdom in 1986.

Portrait of Beatrix of the Netherlands: RVD Koninklijk Huis, CC0, file

William Alexander of the Netherlands

King of the Netherlands, 2013 to today

As king, Willem-Alexander has weekly meetings with the prime minister and speaks regularly with ministers and state secretaries. He also signs all new Acts of Parliament and royal decrees. The Constitution requires that the king appoint, dismiss and swear in all government ministers and state secretaries.

Portrait of William Alexander of the Netherlands: European Union, Attribution, file

Culture

Picture

Noordeinde Palace is one of three official palaces of the Dutch royal family.

Image: Patrick Rasenberg, Public domain, file

Sources

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.