The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the monarch, who must adhere to the Constitution. The Constitution lays down that the ministers and state secretaries, but not the monarch, are accountable to Parliament.

The monarch meets regularly with the Prime Minister, other ministers and state secretaries, but does not have real power. Her duties include signing all acts of Parliament and royal decrees. Once a year, on the third Tuesday in September (Prinsjesdag), she reads the Speech from the Throne. This sets out the Government's legislative plans for the coming parliamentary year. Her influence is most visible in the formation of new Governments, in which she is closely involved. She consults the politicians concerned, appoints a formateur (a potential Prime Minister) and sometimes an informateur (a mediator) and swears in the members of the new Government.