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Fewer free flights for royalsFriday 09 October 2009 Only queen Beatrix, crown prince Willem-Alexander and princess Máxima will be able to enjoy unlimited free air travel from now on, prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende announced on Thursday evening during a debate on the royal finances. MPs had called for curbs after it emerged 10 adult members of the royal household were entitled to free air travel, at a total cost to the tax payer of €610,000. The total budget for the royal family is put at just under €40m for 2010, the Financieele Dagblad reported on Friday. In addition, junior finance minister Jan Kees de Jager is to look at the tax-free status of the queen and her immediate family, the Volkskrant said. However, the queen and her direct heir will keep their tax free status, the paper said. But Willem-Alexander and Máxima are to press ahead with their involvement in a controversial luxury holiday home complex in Mozambique, the prime minister said. While the couple understand the 'sensitivity' of the project, they remain committed to it and it is 'their responsibility' to decide whether or not to pull out , Balkenende told MPs. The prime minister himself came under fire from MPs for not doing enough to defend the royal family's reputation. 'With friends like you, who needs enemies?' GroenLinks MP Ineke van Gent said. Should the queen take a pay cut? Take part in our poll © DutchNews.nl Get the DutchNews.nl newsletter in your mailbox: Click here to subscribe
It's really sad that the queen, Willem-Alexander and Máxima can't afford to pay for their own flights and have to be given them for free. Maybe they should get a job. By PiP | October 9, 2009 3:16 PM I don't understand why it is the PM's responsibility to defend the Royal family's repuation. I know that the traditional argument is that they cannot speak out for themselves, but the fact remains that they choose to behave a certain way and it is not good enough to behave how you please and then expect the PM or anyone else to defend you, no matter what you do. How can the PM defend the indefensible? If the Princess knows what she is doing is annoying the public but does it anyway, how can the PM defend her, and why should he? She should recognise that she and her family reign over the Dutch people with their consent and with that comes a degree with responsibility and a need for self-restraint. By angrypuss | October 9, 2009 4:15 PM I'm surprised they don't have their own fleet of planes. If they are flying commerical airlines then they should have to pay like everybody else... By lb | October 9, 2009 8:22 PM Oh!!! what a sad news for the royal family, perhaps they have to buy their own plane(s), the latest model is recommended. We are more than happy to pay for it. Call the plane airforce Bilderburg one. By Zen | October 9, 2009 8:24 PM Someone I know who works fixing planes at the airport told me that the Royals have 3 private jets for their use....waiting for their call. By alanposting | October 9, 2009 9:53 PM The Dutch Royal Family undertakes duties on behalf of the Dutch people, and are extremely hard working. They are always on duty. It is not unreasonable that they receive appropriate recompense. If the desire is to save money, perhaps Dutch politicians should try going to work by public transport and bicycles,and not in chauffeur-driven cars. Furthermore, such expenditure is dwarfed by the amount spent on US/NATO, and buying expensive, unnecessary military aircraft. By Graham | October 10, 2009 3:09 PM Sorry Graham - but the Royal Family are not doing anything for me- and as for hard working- the men putting the cable in my street are hard working, not the Royal Family... and I am forced to stop work at 65, while the Q. is past 70 and still working- why isn't she on pension of 1100 like all others? By RP | October 11, 2009 10:08 PM Perhaps it is not a question of free plane rides. Perhpas it is a question of whether or not you want to keep the House of Orange? In the US we dumped the king in 1776 but we are still paying for free plane rides for our leaders but do not benefit from longstanding royal traditions. We have different leaders/non leaders sever few years. It would be nice to have royals!!! F. Lepage By Francoise lepage | October 12, 2009 1:09 AM Place your comments: |
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How come royal familly members don't have the same rights and obligations as other dutch citizens? Why are they entitled to a 40M euros budget coming from hard working tax payers?
By John | October 9, 2009 12:44 PM