Museum of the Chancery

The Museum of the Chancery of the Netherlands Orders of Knighthood in the East wing houses the world’s largest collection of insignia of orders, decorations, and certificates, often in exquisite Moroccan bound cases. Painted portraits and rare regalia are also part of the collection. The items are used as part of the permanent display to illustrate the history of the origin of the orders and the decorations in The Netherlands and abroad. The museum has on display the ‘spiritual’ order insignia, dating form the time of the Crusades, such as the Order of the Knights of Malta and the Teutonic Order, alongside world famous orders like the Order of the Golden Fleece, the Order of the Garter and the Order of Saint Esprit.

The museum also holds a vast collection of Dutch orders and decorations including the Order of the Union dating from the Napoleonic era and its predecessors, the Military Order of William, the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands, the Order of Orange-Nassau and the house orders. Lastly, parts of the extensive collection of foreign orders awarded to Queen Wilhelmina, Prince Bernhard and Prince Claus are also exhibited.

Office suits. Photo Museum of the Chancery

Medal of Leiden's Relief. Photo Museum of the Chancery

Opening hours
The Museum of the Chancery of the Netherlands Orders of Knighthood is
open from Tuesday to Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
Closed on Mondays, except public holidays. Closed on New Year’s Day.
Unfortunately the museum, on the first floor of the palace east wing, is not accessible for wheelchairs.