The Third Tuesday of September. Everyone in the Netherlands knows what this means. Every year on this day the Queen addresses a joint session of the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives in the Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights) in The Hague. This address is called Troonrede (Speech from the Throne). Or perhaps we should call it the State of the Union.

Prior to this event the Queen arrives by procession at the Hall of Knights. Many soldiers and bands march in front of the Golden Carriage which bears the Dutch Monarch from the Noordeinde Palace to the Ridderzaal. The moment she arrives… Wait… Hold on… Did you say Golden Carriage? You mean a carriage made of gold? Real gold? Yes, that’s right. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has a carriage made of gold. Actually, the coach is made of teak wood, covered in gold leaf. It is pulled by eight beautiful horses. But still, it is gold. And it looks great.

Last year I went to The Hague to see this event. Not all traditions are great. But this is one to keep.

Enjoy this new OneMinute video.