Netherlands: Willem-Alexander apologizes after leaving during the confinement



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Dutch King Willem-Alexander apologized for a holiday in Greece during an extensive blockade on his country. “It hurts that we have abused their trust in us,” the monarch said in a video message to the population.

Just a few days earlier, the government had urgently warned all citizens to stay home and not travel. Thus, the royal family’s holiday sparked a wave of outrage.

The royal family’s trip did not violate the crown’s rules. “Still, it was very reckless not to consider the impact of the recent safeguards on our community,” the king said in the video message.

Due to negative reactions in the population, the Dutch king, his wife Máxima and their daughter Ariane canceled their holidays after just one day on Saturday.

But criticism flared again on Wednesday. Because, contrary to what it seemed at first, not the entire Oranje family had interrupted their vacation.

Lack of openness

Just three days after her parents, Crown Princess Amalia and her sister Alexia surprisingly returned from Greece on Tuesday night. Citizens and numerous politicians criticized the royal family’s lack of openness.

It is very unusual for the king to address people directly with a personal message.

Corona infections at their peak

On Wednesday, authorities in the Netherlands recorded a new daily high of 8,764 new corona infections in 24 hours. To contain the epidemic in the country, Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s cabinet issued a “partial blockade” last week. Bars, restaurants and cafes had to close for about four weeks.

It is not the first misstep of the family in the crisis: in August they posed for a souvenir photo while on vacation, without any minimum distance. Even then, Máxima and Willem-Alexander surrendered to be purified.

Icon: The mirror

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