Paleis Noordeinde (Noordeinde Palace), Hague

Noordeinde Palace is one of the three palaces used by the Dutch Royal Family. It is located in The Hague and it is the headquarters of King Willem-Alexander. The palace was originally a farmhouse dating from medieval times. It was redone as a larger residence by Willem van de Goudt in 1553.

The house was bought by the States of Holland and given to Louise de Coligny. Louise was the widow of William of Orange and mother of Prince Fredrick Hendrick. The family was presented with the house in recognition of William's services to the country.

Fredrick Hendrick made major changes to the house which was then known as the Oude Hof. He commenced buying neighboring sections of land. Alterations were handled by Pieter Post and Jacob van Campen. They lengthened the building and added wings on each side, giving it the shape it has today.

The Oude Hof remained empty for a long time after the passing of Fredrick Hendrick and his wife, Amalia van Solms. In 1702 it went to King Fredrick I of Prussia. King Fredrick sold his holdings in Holland to Stadtholder William V in 1754. William's tenancy was short-lived. The French invaded Holland in 1795 and William fled to England.

Today the house is State property, but the gardens around the house are open to the public. In 1976 the Institute of Social Studies was located in the north wing. After major restorations the palace was made the monarch's office for political and state affairs.