The Transport Division of the Royal Stables maintains a fleet of around 30 official vehicles for the use of members of the Royal House, their official guests and staff of the Royal Household, as well as for the transport of horses and luggage.
Royal cars
The first car acquired by the Royal Stables was a Renault, purchased by Prince Hendrik in 1908. In the years that followed, the Royal Stables bought nine more cars made by Spyker of Amsterdam. Between 1925 and the late 1950s, Cadillac became the official court vehicle, later to be replaced by Ford. Since 1998, Volvo and Audi have been the court cars of choice, with royal blue as the official colour.
Visiting foreign heads of state can make use of a 2010 Cadillac limousine with four rear seats. Nowadays, most of the vehicle fleet consists of hybrid or fully electric vehicles. In 2022, Queen Máxima’s and Princess Beatrix’s aged official cars were replaced by hybrid Audi limousines. Members of the Royal House travel long distances by car for official visits throughout the country.
Number plates
The number plates of cars used by members of the Royal House always start with the letters AA. Number plates of this kind are exclusively reserved for such vehicles.