If the monarch dies and there are no heirs, a successor is appointed by Parliament. According to the 1815 Constitution, executive power is vested in the Crown to which ministers are responsible. Since the constitutional reform of 1848, the monarch has been inviolable, while ministers are responsible to the elected national assembly. Since this time, the Netherlands have been a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government system. Together, the ministers and the monarch form the Crown.
Laws come into force only after signature by the monarch and the minister.
Ministers are appointed by the Queen. The ministers who come from the government party form a body called the Council of Ministers. In addition, there are secretaries of state, who together with the Ministers form the Cabinet. This is the highest consultative organization of the Crown in matters of legislation. The members are appointed by the Queen, who is President of the Council, but is usually represented by the Vice-President.