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Approximately a hundred official honours and decorations are awarded in the Netherlands. The orders of knighthood occupy a special position in this system.

The Kanselarij der Nederlandse Orden (Chancery of the Netherlands Orders), amongst others, assists the Civil Honours Council and the Military Order of William Council in the work of advising on nominations for royal decorations.

Each year some 4,500 members of the public receive an honour, or royal decoration, in recognition of special or exceptional services to Dutch society. Most honours are conferred on the occasion of His Majesty the King’s birthday. The rest are conferred on other special occasions.