Princess Amalia found ‘more freedom’ in Spain than in the Netherlands

In the year she lived in Spain, Princess Amalia was “able to find more freedom” than was possible in the Netherlands. The princess spoke for the first time about her time in Spain on King’s Day. Amalia lived and studied in Madrid for a year because of threats in the Netherlands.

Princess Alexia is taking a gap year after graduating in Wales last summer. “I have been very happy to be able to travel a lot and get to know other cultures. Especially to be able to focus on something other than school,” says Alexia. “A bit of work, a bit of travel. In such a gap year, every moment is special.”

She doesn’t know yet what she will do next.

Republicans demonstrate in Emmen along the royal route

The anti-monarchist movement Republic demonstrates along the route of the royal family in Emmen. A group of about thirty people stand in a separate demonstration area and hold up a large scoreboard. It shows the number of signatures collected for a petition calling for a significant salary cut for the king.

As the royal family passed by, there were boos and protesters shouted, among other things, “Stop the monarchy.” They also held up signs with texts such as “Willem the last”, “Never blue envelopes”, and “Willem-Alexander, do you really want to do this to your daughter?”.

The king waved in the direction of the demonstrators, but did not stop. The rest of the family also moved on.

More than 8,000 people have now signed the petition. According to chairman Floris Müller, this is an interactive demonstration where people can also draw live. Ultimately, the organization hopes to collect at least 50,000 signatures.

The Republic wants Willem-Alexander to earn no more than the Balkenende standard of approximately 233,000 euros per year, instead of the 1.1 million euros he currently receives annually. In addition, he would have to pay income, inheritance and gift taxes. “At a time when so many people are struggling, it is inexplicable that we pay the head of state so much money, it is unfair and a symbol of inequality in society,” said Müller.