Act on the Council of State (extract)

Act of 9 March 1962, Stb. 88, on the Council of State, as this act last has been adapted by Act of 23 November 2000, Stb. 2000, 496

We JULIANA, by the grace of God, Queen of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, etc., etc., etc.
All, who shall see this or shall hear this read, salute! have to know:
As We have taken into consideration, that it is desirable to replace the act of 21 December 1861, Stb. 129, concerning the regulation of the composition and the competence of the Council of State by a new act;
So is it, that We, heard the Council of State, and after mutual deliberation of the Parliament, have approved and understand, like We approve and understand herewith:

Chapter I. The Council of State in general

Article 1

The Council of State exists, outside the King as president, of a vice-president and at most 28 councillors of state.

Article 2

  1. The heir presumptive of the King shall be legally entitled to have a seat on the Council on attaining the age of eighteen.
  2. The King may grant other members of the Royal House a seat on the Council if they are of age.
  3. The members of the royal house, who have a seat on the Council, can take part in the deliberations, yet they abstain from voting.

Other members of the Royal House that have been granted a seat on the Council of State are:

  1. HRH Prince Frederik of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau;
  2. HRH Prince Hendrik of the Netherlands, Duke of Mecklenburg, Prince of the Wends, of Schwerin and Ratzeburg, Count of Schwerin, Lord of the lands Rostock and Stargard, etc., etc.;
  3. HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, Prince of Lippe-Biesterfeld;
  4. HRH Prince Claus of the Netherlands, Jonkheer van Amsberg.

Article 14

The Council is in charge of the task, charged on it by article 38 of the Constitution.

Instruct and order, that this will be put in the Staatsblad, and that all Ministerial Departements, Authorities, Colleges and Civil Servants, whom it may concern, will enforce the execution exactly.

Signed at Palace Soestdijk, 9 March 1962.

JULIANA.

The Minister of Internal Affairs,
E. H. TOXOPEUS.

The Minister of Justice,
A. C. W. BEERMAN.

Published the thirtieth March 1962.

The Minister of Justice,
A. C. W. BEERMAN.