In the Netherlands, it’s important to distinguish between the Royal House and the royal family. These terms, while related, have distinct meanings and memberships defined by law. This article clarifies the difference, outlining who belongs to each and why this distinction matters within the context of the Netherlands monarchy.
Membership of the Royal House Explained
The Membership of the Royal House Act legally determines who is included in the Royal House. This is a specific, smaller group within the broader royal family with official roles and responsibilities. According to the Act, membership includes:
- The Reigning Monarch: Currently, this is King Willem-Alexander.
- Former Monarchs: This would include a previous King or Queen who has abdicated the throne.
- Close Royal Lineage: Legitimate descendants of King Willem I, related to the current monarch within the first or second degree of consanguinity and eligible to succeed to the throne. This focuses on the direct line of succession.
- Spouses of the Above: The husbands or wives of those listed above are also members of the Royal House.
- Transitional Members: Individuals who were members under previous regulations and retain their membership due to transitional arrangements in the Act. Notably, Princess Margriet and her husband, Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven, fall into this category, maintaining their Royal House membership based on older rules related to the third degree of consanguinity.
Since 2002, the criteria for Royal House membership have been refined to include royal family members closely related to the monarch and in the line of succession. A monarch who has abdicated also remains a member, as do their spouses and surviving spouses.
Current Composition of the Royal House
Currently, the Netherlands Royal House consists of 10 members. It’s important to note that when King Willem-Alexander ascended the throne, the composition changed. Prince Maurits, Prince Bernhard, their wives, and the children of Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien are no longer members of the Royal House. However, the children of Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien remain in the line of succession while King Willem-Alexander is the monarch.
Membership in the Royal House is not permanent and can cease under specific circumstances:
- Loss of Dutch Nationality: Giving up Dutch citizenship automatically terminates Royal House membership.
- Royal Decree Revocation: The monarch can, by royal decree, remove someone’s membership.
- Marriage Without Parliamentary Consent: Marrying without the formal consent of the Dutch Parliament results in the loss of Royal House membership. Examples of this include Princess Irene, Princess Christina (1947-2019), Prince Friso, Prince Pieter-Christiaan, and Prince Floris, all of whom forfeited their membership due to marriages without parliamentary approval.
Defining the Royal Family: A Broader Group
The royal family is a larger, more encompassing group than the Royal House. It includes all members of the Royal House plus a wider circle of relatives. This expanded group includes: Princess Mabel, the children of Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien, Prince Maurits, Princess Marilène, Prince Bernhard, Princess Annette, Prince Pieter-Christiaan, Princess Anita, Prince Floris, Princess Aimée, Princess Irene, and Princess Christina (1947-2019). It also extends to their children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.
In essence, while the Royal House is a legally defined, smaller entity with specific members carrying out formal royal duties, the royal family is a broader, more traditional family grouping encompassing a wider range of relatives of the monarch. Understanding this distinction provides a clearer picture of the structure of the Netherlands Royal Family.
