The Military Household organises and coordinates events involving the King and other members of the Royal House, and performs services for and on behalf of the King.
This is the oldest department of the Royal Household, dating from a time when the head of state was commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Staff
The staff of the Military Household include the Adjutant General, the Chief of Staff, aides-de-camp and equerries.
The Adjutant General to His Majesty the King heads the Military Household and is the Grand Master’s deputy. His tasks include coordinating security matters concerning the Royal House, as well as military ceremonial at court.
The Chief of Staff manages and directs the work of the aides-de-camp and aides-de-camp extraordinary to His Majesty the King.
The aides-de-camp usually prepare and coordinate public appearances by members of the Royal House in the Netherlands and abroad. They also carry out duties on horseback when the King and members of the Royal House travel by carriage, for instance on Prinsjesdag (the State Opening of Parliament).
Aide-de-camp extraordinary is a title bestowed on former aides-de-camp, military personnel who can be called upon for special occasions.
Equerries play a supporting role.
Uniforms
Aides-de-camp wear a gold aiguillette on the right shoulder of their uniform. The lapel of the uniform bears the monogram WA, for Willem-Alexander, underneath a crown. Uniforms of aides-de-camp from the Royal Netherlands Navy bear the monogram WA on the shoulder. In the case of aides-de-camp extraordinary, the initials and crown are smaller.