The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy: the position of the monarch is laid down in the Constitution. The monarch is the Dutch head of state and, together with the ministers, makes up the government. Queen Beatrix has been the head of state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 1980.

The Dutch Royal House is the House of Orange-Nassau, whose fortunes have been closely tied to those of the Netherlands since the 15th century. Since that time, the Oranges have made a major contribution to the government as stadholders, kings and queens.

The Royal Household helps the Queen in the performance of her official duties. The Queen and the other members of the Royal House also rely on the support of the Queen’s Office, the Government Information Service and the Royal and Diplomatic Protection Department.

Amsterdam’s Royal Palace is in the heart of the city, on Dam Square. Like Huis ten Bosch Palace and Noordeinde Palace, it has been placed at the Queen’s disposal by Act of Parliament.

Since 1984, Noordeinde Palace has been the Queen’s place of work. Like Huis ten Bosch Palace and the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, the State has placed Noordeinde Palace at the Queen’s disposal by Act of Parliament.

Huis ten Bosch Palace, the Queen’s home since 1981, is located in the north-eastern part of The Hague. Like Noordeinde Palace and the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, the State has placed Huis ten Bosch Palace at the Queen’s disposal by Act of Parliament.

Her majesty Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard queen of the Netherlands, princess of Orange-Nassau, princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld...... etc.

Born on January 31 1938, married on March 10 1966 with Claus von Amsberg she was crowned on April 30 1980. Her mother is princess Juliana.

Queen Beatrix has three sons, the eldest son, Willem Alexander, will succeed her under the name of Willem IV. However one says that the queen has only a representative role and not political responsibility, it is she who selects the " formateur " of a new government or who speaks in secrecy with the ministers and signs the new laws.The large majority of the Dutch people is very satisfied with their queen and do not at all accept that one criticizes the monarchy.