Dutch show more support for monarchy, more trust in king
The Dutch public is more supportive of the monarchy this year. 70 percent of Dutch now say they are behind monarchy, compared to a low point of 65 percent last year, according to NOS' annual King's Day Survey performed by Ipsos. The increased support for the monarchy coincides with a slight increase in trust in King Willem-Alexander, NOS reports.
Support for the monarchy varied since King Willem-Alexander took the thrown in 2013. That year 78 percent of the Dutch public was behind the monarchy. Confidence in the King gradually decreased since he took the thrown, but that trend now changed. This year the Dutch public gave the King a very decent score of 7.6, slightly higher than last year. Queen Maxima, with a score of 8, is still the most popular member of the royal house.
About 70 percent of Dutch are satisfied with the way the King is filling his position. And 75 percent are satisfied Queen Maxima's role next to the King. While a majority thinks that King Willem-Alexander has exactly the right amount of power, the group that thinks he should have more duties and powers is gradually increasing. In 2011, a year before the monarch gave up influence on the government formation, 8 percent thought that the monarch should have more power. This year it is 20 percent.
The people are divided about whether or not the King should have a role in the forming of a new government. 34 percent think the King should be involved, 32 percent think it's good that he's not.
A massive 82 percent think its good that King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are trying to keep their three daughters out of the public eye as much as possible. Only 8 percent think the princesses should make more media appearances. A majority has no problem with 13-year-old Amalia becoming active on social media, like other kids her age. But a significant part thinks that her parents should supervise this.
