Dutch King and Queen released a video relating to their Greece holiday

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima and their daughters, Princess Ariane, Princess Catharina-Amalia and Princess Alexia on Holiday in Greece

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands released a video relating to their Greece holiday, in which they speak about their regret for their decision to have a holiday in Greece. In their video message, they said that the decision to have a holiday during these days harmed the trust for the royal family.

The Dutch royals were seen in Greece at the weekend and that caused controversy because many people across their country had to cancel travel plans as new restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic came into force. The King and Queen returned to their country immediately.

Persoonlijke boodschap van Koninklijk Paar over reis naar Griekenland

King Willem-Alexander's message in the video is as the following: "Our trip to Greece has provoked strong reactions from many Dutch people. It hurts to have betrayed your trust in us. Even though the trip was in line with the regulations, it was very unwise not to take into account the impact of the new restrictions on our society. Our own decision to return was made with the realization that we should not have gone."

The message continues like that: "From the start of the corona crisis, we have done our best to find space – within the limits of the corona policy – and to be there as much as possible for everyone who is looking for support in uncertain times. It is a difficult time for everyone. A time of lack, limitations and worries. From fear, anger and insecurity too. We have heard the poignant stories in many encounters, in person and digitally. We feel connected with you and with all those people who have been directly or indirectly affected."

"We will continue to work with you to get the corona virus under control. So that everyone in our country can then resume normal life as soon as possible. That is the most important thing now and we will continue to do so, to the best of our ability. We are involved. But not infallible."

48 Comments

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  1. They should have just released a statement, that's all. The pity look on camera does not look good

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    1. Agreed

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    2. Yes, I agree that a statement would have been better than this staging.

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  2. The message was utterly nonsense issued bij a couple who likes the jetset lifestyle provided by the Dutch taxpayer.

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  3. Theater.............. we can not go to anymore, therefor they present it for us...... sorry for them, but hopping from holiday to holiday?! Royals should be social engaged with society, else they loose their role and status...... Both look ok, bit stiff, but due to the situation ok.

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  4. What an actress is she!!!!!

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  5. Yes, an unfortunate and ill advised decision. Glad that they owned up to the mistake and hopefully everyone can move on from here.

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  6. Yes, they made a mistake, but I see as a positive thing that they were able to admit their mistake and apologize to the nation. We also know such royals who have never admitted a mistake, but like to teach others.

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  7. I know they are regreting their trip to Greece but it's no need to make such over sadly face.

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  8. Nice blouse, bad undergarments as usual. She looks nice and discreet, as the occasion requires. I won't opine about the content of the message since this only affects the citizens of The Netherlands.

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    1. Nicely said. I agree. Ann B. US

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    2. I am a Dutch citizen. This theatre is cringeworthy and totally unbelievable. They regret being found out and caught, going on holiday secretly. And that in itself is so embarrassing...... going on holiday in secret, after declaring themselves solidary with the ordinary Dutch who are summoned to stay at home, but have to pay for their extravagances.....
      Lily T.

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    3. Nicely put, Cherryblossom. This citizen of the Netherlands is a bit confused, I think like many are in these strange times.

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    4. Thanks Cherry Blossom for your fashion observation and thoughtful comment about the subject.
      What is the saying? ....... he who is not guilty and throwing the first stone ....... or something like that.
      Sorry I didn't get good marks at school for religious studies. I think I spent most of my time during religious studies dreaming about a nice holiday on a Greek island.

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    5. Fantastic comments Cherry Blossom, very much agreed (and I can't say much politically as my country is a dumpster fire right now).
      Chel

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    6. I am a Dutch citizen. This cringeworthy piece of theatre did not convince me at all...... they are very sorry, that much is clear, but mainly because the were caught going on holiday secretly. How shameful and embarrasing, lecturing everyone on solidarity, acting thereupon in the most unsolidary way imaginable and then being twittered back by common folk....
      Lily T.

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    7. Well said Cherry Blossom ! Ana

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    8. @deadeggs: "Mamma Mia!" lol
      - Anon 9:13

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    9. Well said, Lily T!! I totally agree with your comments.

      Renee

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  9. An appropriate 'sad look', however their thoughts should have stopped them going on a trip, before they ever stepped foot outside the door. Personal opinion, entitled to my own thoughts.

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  10. It is a pity that people, in this case the royal couple, do not switch on their brains first. You don't have to do everything you are allowed to do. It's also about a moral compass. Many people have lost it nowadays. Frieda

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  11. They received a well deserved tongue lashing from their people for their insensitivity to the COVID crisis, and issued a mea culpa. I hope they mean it. It is just another example of "us vs. them" mentality. Hopefully the playing field has been leveled now. Maxima does look a little dramatic, but I am not familiar with her sad, apologetic look. Maybe it is her embarrassed look? She is dressed appropriately, without any garish accessories. At least they owned up to the mistake and presumably have learned from it.

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    1. This is the 2nd time they have been in a situation they brought upon themselves. They were in Greece, pictured, not social distancing, and they said at the time they 'learned the lesson.' Sadly, this statement has caught them upshort again. A statement would have been sufficient, not the oddly, strange 'woe is me' photo of dramatic posing.

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  12. I'm not surprise at the fiasco...so typically of the elites mantra, do as I say not as I do. The sad looks make it more contrived.

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  13. It's a pity it takes an outcry from the peasants for them to abandon their excursion...I thought they have more common sense than that.

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  14. So the king feels connected. This was a forced message with no apology. The trip did not look good, especially since they had apparently spent 6 weeks in Greece this past summer (correct me if I'm wrong). Dad, mom, Ariane flew back on Saturday; Amalia & Alexia were, let's just say, graciously granted 3 more days' vacation (despite there being several available flights out) and so they flew back on Tuesday.

    "We are involved. But not infallible." A good motto for everyone in these trying times. Hopefully a lesson learned for Willem-Alexander's generation of royals who now have to face criticism thanks to today's social media. Hopefully this will be even a begrudging a wake-up call. Must be very difficult for all royals raised as "super-special" and now being criticized so much. Some royals "get it" to a point; others still do not.

    Understandably neither of them is comfortable, but can't you just literally feel what Máxima is thinking. She looks quite nice apart from needing a proper bra.

    ~Laurel~

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  15. Maxima has just two expressions - smiling and grinning over the top, no matter what event or location, or looking as if she has been slaughtered.

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  16. Inconscient et irresponsable. A l'heure des réseaux sociaux aujourd'hui, les erreurs sont difficilement pardonnables quand les gens souffrent énormément. Un communiqué du palais aurait suffi. Cette mise en scène est indigne. Ils rentrent de vacances et repartent déjà. C'est affligeant. Ils doivent reconquérir la confiance de leurs sujets. Ces mines théâtrales ne suffiront pas. Qu'ils suivent l'exemple du Roi Felipe et la Reine Lettizia, avec la Princesse des asturies Léonor et l'infante Sofia, ils sont sur tous les fronts. Une famille exemplaire, travailleuse et soucieuse des difficultés que traverse le peuple espagnol. Que cela leur serve de leçon

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  17. Video needs English subtitles. You have to ask yourself; is there any value of the Netherlands having a Monarchy; I don't know as I don't live there. A lot of royals have holidayed at home. It's happened. The blouse is fine on Maxima, Willem looks scruffy with a bead.

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    1. Youtube offers automatically translated subtitles in almost any language. You can change from Dutch subtitles to English subtitles in the settings.

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    2. Why would a message aimed at the citizens of the Netherlands need English subtitles?

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  18. They had no choice but to apologize to the people of Holland.
    Maxima is always acting, sometimes with big smiles, sometimes with concerned and sad faces. I find her very fake. But she's dressed appropriately and her hair is not as bad as usual.

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    1. So do I, very fake with only a few over-the-top facial expressions at her disposal: screaming with laughter, very interested, very sad..... but her admirers buy it....
      Lily T.

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    2. They had no choice but to apologize, (well sort of, without really saying they were sorry), after all, it is the second time they've been caught not being responsible during the COVID pandemic. Saying words, that imply one is sorry, is not the same as saying, we are sorry. Dressing appropriately for such an occasion is totally ridiculous, just as their 'faux' apology, and faux facial appearances were. Do they think they are above reproach? They are after all, human beings like everyone else on the planet. Being born into, or marrying into, a titled position does not mean you are better than someone else, it means you have a greater responsibility to maintain, certain standards, which this couple seems to have forgotten. Sadly this family has flauted their position/responsibility, which is ultimately a very human and disquieting situation. Since this is a fashion blog: Her hair is still a mess, though an attempt to comb it was apparant. His beard is scruffy and untidy looking. Both are dressed 'somber' for their 'faux words' and faces, yet the underpinnings of her garments lack substance, just as their words lack the proper substance.

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  19. Just a video message from the King would have been enough: Maxima doesnot have an official position of which the PM is responsible.
    Furthermore it was a weak text, mostly saying they regretted the trip because of the fierce reactions, and telling us the are not infallible is not necessary.
    He is a kindhearted man, meaning well, not a great public speaker.

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    1. I fully agree just a video message from the King would have been less pathetic, more business like than involving the presence of Maxima acting here so much in contradiction with her personality.

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  20. After reading the above comments, I think I'm beginning to see why the Sussexes didn't want to have their wings cut and forced to work 7 days a week in the Royal factory with their private lives under constant surveillance.
    With their part time Royal job, they have left time for some private family life together and/or with their young child.
    Maybe the King and Queen and their three teenage daughters should have spent some private time just having a picnic on a wintery beach on the north sea. May have caused less media and public buzz.

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    1. I am convinced they have enough of a private life we know nothing about!
      They are absolutely not to pity.
      But why never a holiday in their own country, like the Belgian royal family does?
      Thén you are creating lots of goodwill!

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    2. To deadeggs:
      I think you're wrong. The Queen has made it clear that there is no such thing as a "part time Royal job." It's the same nonsense as "being partially pregnant." The Sussexes do not work for the royal family, but for themselves. They do not want to carry out certain royal activities and submit to protocol. However, they want the benefits that come from their royal connection and name. They benefit from it, their contract with Netflix is clear evidence of abuse of the Royal Title.

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    3. Anon 5:54, you are spot on with your comments!!

      Lady M

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    4. @Anon 5:54 Let's not get off topic. You are referencing tabloids, not the parties involved.

      The point here is that the monarch of The Netherlands and his family decided to jet off on a family vacay while his country is not only suffering the direct effects of the pandemic, they are following the restrictions put in place. The royal family gives the impression, and always has, that they are above these nuisances. Maxima has been out and about without a mask from the beginning. She just started wearing one, and sheds it as soon as she possibly can. She has been a terrible example. They all have. They are no better than anyone else and it is about time they were called out. Being under this microscope, with this much criticism, with people judging every facial expression, every strand of hair, being followed every minute of every day when outside their home, is what I presume deadeggs is talking about. I think I would want to get away at times as well. They just come across as tone deaf to what is happening in their own country. No one else can escape the way they can, and to say they were within the rules, to me, sounds like they probably bent them quite a bit without breaking them.

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    5. Where is her bra? He needs to get rid of the fuzzy beard, makes him look old. No flights for the girls? Seems odd. Lovely drapes and flowers.

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  21. Maria from Italy22/10/20 13:33

    What about wearing a bra, Maxima?

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  22. From Joann: This is a cautionary tale for any royal who thinks he/she has a private life. Obviously they are on duty 24 hours a day and there is no room for errors in judgment. As they are seeing, the public's rebuke is swift and severe. I just wish some of the politicians, civil servants, who are living lavish lifestyles off the backs of the tax-paying public should follow suit and park their jets in the hangars. They are jetting off to villas, estates all over the world and not a peep in the press about them. This goes for celebrities too who love to lecture us on our failings. (Didn't the Belgian royal couple have some sort of problem a few years back - going to a resort or something while there was a crisis back home?. I think it was rioting or something. As I remember, they didn't return home immediately. Perhaps another poster remembers this and can post it.)

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  23. Indeed, bad acting (I speak Dutch)

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  24. Good to know we in the UK don't have the monopoly on stupid royalty. They also put their Prime Minister in an embarrassing position and should have issued a public apology to him.

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