The title is formally granted together with the style Excellency, by the Monarch, but on the initiative of the cabinet of the Netherlands.
The title is granted for exceptional merits, generally to senior politicians at the end of their party career.
Ministers of State advise the Sovereign in delicate situations, with moral authority but without formal competence.
A Minister of State is not part of a cabinet, but may be asked to represent the government for certain events.
After World War II, Louis Beel was the only person who still sat in the cabinet while he was Minister of State.