The Crown of the Netherlands (1840)

The Crown of The Netherlands was made in 1840 for the coronation ceremony of King William II at the Hague. The regalia was required due to the separation of Holland from Belgium in 1831 and the abdication of William I in 1840.

Monarchs are invested as Head of State in the Netherlands, rather than being crowned. They may assume the royal prerogative before the Investiture, which the constitutiion states must take place as soon as possible thereafter at a public joint session of the Upper and Lower Houses of the States General. The Monarch swears or affirms allegiance to the constitution and to discharge his or her duties as laid down by the law.

During an Investiture the regalia, consisting of the crown, the sceptre, the orb, the sword of state, the national standard and a vellum-bound copy of the constitution, are displayed on a 'credence' table.

The crown symbolises the sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the dignity of its Head of State. As the accession ceremony is an Investiture, rather than a coronation, the crown is never placed on the Monarch's head. The orb represents the territory over which the monarch rules, while the sceptre and the sword of state stand for the sovereign's authority and power respectively.

The regalia were made in 1840 by craftsmen commissioned by William II. Made in silver gilt, the crown has eight half-aches springing from eight strawberry leaves and is set with imitation pearls and jewels.