On 18 January, 1591, The States of Holland were only able to find one suitable residence for Louise de Coligny, the last wife of William the Silent. And so this member of the House of Orange began living in a chic rented property in The Hague, which over more than 400 years of eventful history expanded to become Noordeinde Palace. To those that know it, this Orange complex (stables, archives, garden and parkland) is now little more than a royal office building. We only see it on Princes'Day (the state opening of parliament) when we catch a glimpse of its facade on our television screens. However many Orange descendants have lived there or once used the palace for parties, Frederick Henry saw it as a confirmation of much fought for influence, while Queen Wilhelmina as the epitome of pre-war aloofness. King William I used it as his winter residence and it serves the current Dutch Queen as an efficient work palace. Across time the building has been a silent witness of both celebration and sobriety. Hardback, 160 pages, photo's, in Dutch.