Regalia of the Netherlands

The regalia of the Netherlands consists of a number of items symbolising the Dutch monarch's authority and dignity. In comparison to many European monarchies' regalia, the Dutch regalia are relatively new: having been commissioned by King William II in 1840. An earlier, more modest set of regalia made of silver was commissioned by King William I in 1815.[1]

Dutch Royal Regalia in the Nieuwe Kerk in 2013: the crown on the left and the sceptre and orb on the right

Dutch monarchs are not and have never been crowned but are instead sworn-in and inaugurated in a ceremony at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. The regalia (not including the royal mantle) are never bestowed upon or worn by the monarch. Instead, the crown, sceptre, and orb are placed on what is called a credence table during the ceremony while the sword and standard are carried by different officials.

A number of jewellery worn by the Dutch royal family are termed as the Crown Jewels and are not part of the regalia.

Regalia
The Dutch crown

The regalia of the Netherlands consist of the following:

  • the crown, symbolising the sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which currently consists of the Netherlands in Western Europe and three overseas countries in the Caribbean: Curaçao, Sint Maarten and Aruba. It also symbolises the dignity of the Sovereign as head of state. The renowned Amsterdam jewelry firm Bonebakker was commissioned to make the crown. The execution were left to master gold- and silversmith Theodorus Gerardus Bentvelt.[2] It is made of gilded silver, adorned with coloured stones and imitations of pearls,[3] and has eight arches with a monde and cross at the top.
  • 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.[4]

During the inauguration, the monarch also wears a royal mantle (Dutch: koningsmantel). The mantle, which is not part of the regalia, is made of purple velvet and is trimmed with ermine. 83 lions, embroidered in gold, adorn the mantle. The mantle was first used in 1815 and has been redesigned several times to fit the various monarchs and reflect the changing fashions. The lions are old and were part of King William I'st mantle. Part of the fur has been renewed or replaced and in 1948 the velvet was in such a poor condition that the Swiss couturier who was responsible for its adaptation had no choice but to replace in with a modern fabric.[7]

Usage
Procession to the inauguration of Queen Juliana in 1948. The sword of state is carried by Lt. Gen. Hendrik Johan Kruls.

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.[8]

References
  1. 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.
  2. Emeis, M.G. (1967). Bonebakker 1792 – 1967. Amsterdam.
  3. Van Cruyningen, 61–62.
  4. Van Cruyningen, 62.
  5. Kl. Sierksma, Nederlands vlaggenboek. Vlaggen van Nederland, provincies en gemeenten (Utrecht/Antwerpen: Het Spectrum 1962, 17.
  6. "Fotocollectie " Zoeken - gahetNA". beeldbank.nationaalarchief.nl.
  7. Kleren voor de elite. p.36
  8. Van Cruyningen, passim.

Literature
  • Dieuwke Grijpma; Kleren voor de elite, 1999 ISBN 9789050184472
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