Huis ten Bosch

Huis ten Bosch is one of the four official palaces of the Dutch Royal Family, located near the Hague in the Netherlands. It has been home to Queen Beatrix since 1981.

The building was begun on September 2, 1645 by Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia who was then living in exile with her husband. It became the summer home of Stadholder Frederik Hendrik of Orange and his wife, Amalia van Solms. Over the next century and a half, the palace would change possession from the Nassau family, the king of Prussia, and many Stadholders until the French invaded in 1795. They gave the palace to the Batavian (Dutch) people who still own it to this day. Napoleon Bonaparte's brother, Louis Napoleon, king of the Netherlands breifly lived in the palace between 1805 and 1807.

When Wilhelm I was proclaimed King of the Netherlands, he made Huis ten Bosch one of his official residences. It became a favourite location for many members of the Royal Family, and during World War I it became the primary residence of Queen Wilhelmina.

The Queen and her family were forced to flea the palace for England (and from there to Canada) when the Nazi Army invaded the Netherlands. The Nazi administration planned to demolish the palace, but the comptroller convinced them not to. However, the palace was damaged beyond habitation.

Between 1950 and 1956, the palace was restored and once again became a royal residence. It became the prime residence once more in 1981.