Monarchy of the Netherlands

King of the Netherlands
Koning der Nederlanden
Incumbent
Willem-Alexander
since 30 April 2013
Details
StyleHis Majesty
Heir apparentCatharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange
First monarchWilliam I
Formation16 March 1815 (1815-03-16)
Residence
Websitewww.royal-house.nl

The monarchy of the Netherlands is governed the country's Constitution, roughly a third of which explains the mechanics of succession, accession, and abdication; the roles and duties of the monarch; the formalities of communication between the States General of the Netherlands; and the monarch's role in creating laws.

The once-sovereign provinces of the Spanish Netherlands were intermittently ruled by members of the House of Orange-Nassau and the House of Nassau from 1559, when Philip II of Spain appointed William the Silent (William of Orange) as stadtholder, until 1795, when the last stadtholder, William V, Prince of Orange, fled the country. William the Silent became the leader of the Dutch Revolt and of the independent Dutch Republic. Some of his descendants were later appointed as stadtholders by the provinces and, in 1747, the role of stadtholder became a hereditary position in all provinces of the thus "crowned" Dutch Republic.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands has been an independent monarchy since 16 March 1815. Following the abdication of his mother Queen Beatrix, Willem-Alexander has been King of the Netherlands since 30 April 2013.


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