Huis ten Bosch (English: "House in the Woods") is one of the four official residences of the Dutch Royal Family, located in The Hague in the Netherlands. It has been home to Queen Beatrix since 1981. The other royal palace in The Hague, Noordeinde Palace, is used for work-related purposes. A replica of the palace was built in Sasebo, Japan in a theme park bearing the same name.
Construction of Huis ten Bosch was begun on 2 September 1645, under the direction of Bartholomeus Drijffhout, and to a design by Pieter Post and Jacob van Campen. It was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia who was then living in exile with her husband. When completed, the palace became the summer home of Stadholder Frederik Hendrik of Orange and his wife, Amalia von Solms.
After her husband's death in 1647, Amalia dedicated the Palace to her husband. Led by architect Jacob van Campen, major artists of the day such as Gerard van Honthorst, Jacob Jordaens, Thomas Willeboirts Bosschaert, Theodoor van Thulden, Caesar van Everdingen, Salomon de Bray, Pieter Soutman, Gonzales Coques, Pieter de Grebber, Adriaen Hanneman and Jan Lievens filled the Oranjezaal ("Orange Hall" ) with paintings glorifying the late prince. The dining room was designed by Daniel Marot.
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 briefly lived in the palace between 1805 and 1807.
When William 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 flee the palace for Britain (and from there to Canada) when the German army invaded the Netherlands during World War II. 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.
The palace has undergone major reconstructions since it is was built. Currently, it consists of a central part with two long wings, spanning approximately 110 m from end to end.
