Dutch Royal Regalia

Dutch Royal Regalia

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 were commissioned by King William I in 1815.

The regalia of the Netherlands consist of the following:

• the crown, symbolising the sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which presently consists of the Netherlands in Western Europe and three overseas constituent countries in the Caribbean: Curaçao, Sint Maarten and Aruba. It also symbolises the dignity of the Sovereign as head of state. The crown was manufactured by the Amsterdam goldsmith Bonebakker. It is made of gilded silver, adourned with coloured stones and imitations of pearls.

• 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.

• the sword of state, standing for the Monarch's power;

• the Gonfalon of State (Rijksvaandel or Rijksbanier), a banner of white moiré silk suspended from a gilded spear, painted with the coat of arms of the Netherlands as decreed on 24 August 1815, symbolising the nation. The arms of the Netherlands have changed since 1815, but the depiction on the gonfalon has not. The artwork was by Batholomeüs Johannes van Hove.

All these objects, including the coronation mantle are only used at the enthronement of a King or Queen and have been given by Queen Juliana to the "Foundation Regalia of the House Orange Nassau".