In days gone by, roles at court were largely honorary positions. Members of noble or wealthy families were appointed to roles that often stayed in families for generations. Besides the King, other members of the Royal House often had their own royal households.
Under King Willem II, a distinction was introduced within the Royal Household between the Civil and the Military Households. The King formally ratified this distinction shortly after ascending to the throne in 1849. He was also the first king to appoint a Grand Master, in 1868.
The Royal Household has around 45 officers, divided over the Civil and Military Households. The term ‘Household’ comes from Article 41 of the Dutch constitution, which states: ‘The King shall organise his Household, taking due account of the public interest’.
The Royal Household today
Nowadays, the Officers of the Royal Household are the Grand Master – who heads the Royal Household – the Mistress of the Robes, ladies-in-waiting, chamberlains, heads of departments, personal advisers, private secretaries, the Chief of the Military Household, aides-de-camp and a number of advisers. They are appointed on the basis of their professional capacities.
Officers of the Civil Household are appointed by Royal Decision, while officers of the Military Household are appointed by the Minister of Defence by Royal Decree.
These Officers fall under the Royal Household.