Royals should stick to ceremonial duties, stay out of politics: NSC leader

NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt has said in an interview with EW that the royal family should stick to its own ceremonial duties. He added that it is impossible for the prime minister to bear political responsibility if royal family members continue to make substantive work or politically tinted or socially controversial statements.

If the king or others want to do this, then exceptions should be made regarding the prime minister's responsibility, said Omtzigt. Constitutional law stipulates that the prime minister is responsible for the actions of the king, queen, prince, or princess. This means that the Prime Minister can be approached about this in, for example, the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament.

Omtzigt is responding to the work that Princess Laurentien is doing with her foundation for the victims of the benefits scandal. Her calculations showed a much higher amount for the affected parents than the government's method. It recently emerged that this will result in at least 2 billion euros extra money spent for the government than expected. The arrangement has now been simplified, but the Ministry of Finance has allowed Laurentien to continue her work.

Queen Maxima made comments about a digital euro and vaccinations, which led to criticism on social media. She worked for the United Nations as an advocate for inclusive finance for development.

Omtzigt understands the compensation arrangement but thinks it is irresponsible to have a royal family member perform this duty. In his view, former Prime Minister Mark Rutte gave too much space to others in these types of matters, and it is necessary to discuss the tasks and ministerial responsibility.