The tradition of Prinsjesdag

Every third Tuesday in September, the entire Netherlands tunes in: it's Prinsjesdag. The ladies appear in the most extravagant hats and the gentlemen traditionally dress in a morning coat. During Prinsjesdag, everyone observes a number of traditions. Think of the Prinsjesdag bills that are announced and the King's speech from the throne. GENTS brings you up to speed today on what the tradition of Prinsjesdag means for wearing a morning coat.

Article 65 in the Dutch Constitution stipulates that every third Tuesday of September, the government presents an account of the policy to be implemented. That is Prinsjesdag as we know it today. Although the term 'Prinsjesdag' was already used in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, its meaning was different. The first true Prinsjesdag took place on 2 May 1814. Only after the First World War was the Constitution revised and given its current specific meaning. The traditions of Prinsjesdag have remained virtually unchanged over the years. This is especially true for the dress code.

Dressing with style

When the third Tuesday of September arrives, all of The Hague's political establishment appears stylishly and neatly at the designated location. Ministers and Members of Parliament are expected to appear in formal dress. In other words, they must wear a morning coat. A morning coat is an extremely formal suit that is perfectly suited for the most official occasions, such as Prinsjesdag. This makes the morning coat the only appropriate attire to wear at the opening of the new political season. But how do you wear this formal suit?

How to wear a morning coat

Every formal suit follows a specific etiquette. When a morning coat is worn, the following rules apply:

1. It is a three-piece suit in which the jacket, trousers and waistcoat are essential components.
2. A morning coat jacket is traditionally black, but grey is also acceptable. The long jacket features short lapels and curved tails.
3. The morning coat shirt is white, features double cuffs and has a cutaway collar complete with blind button closure.
4. The waistcoat of a morning coat is plain grey.
5. The trousers are grey striped without turn-ups.
6. As accessories, you wear a grey tie, grey suede gloves and a top hat in the same colour as the jacket.

So will you be watching Prinsjesdag soon? If the suits of the ministers and Members of Parliament comply with the above rules, then they are perfectly dressed for the official gathering. Is something amiss with their morning coat? Then they have committed a faux-pas!