The Dutch royal family, also known as the House of Orange-Nassau, is symbolic of this nation’s fiercely independent spirit. The Netherlands is small geographically but during its “golden age” in the 17th century it had what historian Simon Schama called “an embarrassment of riches.” Over the centuries it has experienced much religious strife, acquired and lost an empire and is now governed by a series of coalitions. The monarchy is a proud symbol of national unity.
