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First royal family annual report puts total spending at €39mThursday 12 May 2011 The Dutch royal family spent €38,824,000 last year, according to the first ever royal annual report, according to Nos television. The report, which contains many photographs of queen Beatrix and her family, lists the main income and expenditure of the royals plus a summary of their more important activities. The publication follows concerns in parliament about the lack of transparency surrounding the royal family budget. The report reveals, for example, that the queen, crown prince Willem-Alexander and princess Máxima carried out some 250 public engagements last year, and that the queen signed 500 pieces of legislation. Pay The queen is 'paid' €828,000 a year by the state, plus an extra €5m for her staff and equipment. The crown prince and Máxima each earn €245,000 and get €2m between them for staff. None of the other family members receive an income from the government. On top of that comes the cost of the 300 people who work at the queen and Willem-Alexander's five residences plus 30 support staff for the queen herself, taking the total bill to nearly €39m. This does not include security. © DutchNews.nl
I don't think I am alone when I say that this kind of report--released when all of Europe is grappling to cut spending--will not be necessarily welcomed with open arms. Am I to interpret that the signing (and actual drafting?? of 500 legislation documents or carrying out some 250 public engagements justify this kind of total spending by the Royal family?--EXCLUDING SECURITY of course--maybe it's time to sell one of those 5 residences.... By Michael | May 12, 2011 6:19 PM Unbelievable. But yet everyone is more than happy to play along during the grand ideological events of Queen's Day. By Rich | May 13, 2011 8:28 AM And for this we get what in return exactly? And how many staff do either the Queen or the crown prince need? And isn't 5 houses a little excessive? The rest of the country seems to manage on one! By Caycu | May 13, 2011 12:48 PM what exactly do they do ??? By Lincoln Loggs | May 13, 2011 2:20 PM So I have to believe the spending by the royal family is a very good driving force for Dutch economy then? By bisheng | May 13, 2011 2:38 PM The Netherlands spends five billion more than it takes in on taxes. Seems to me the Royal budget might be a good place to begin cutting some of those non-essential expenses. By Quince | May 13, 2011 3:42 PM ALL countries with a king or queen etc should do what the French did or at least abolish them,...kings n queens in this day and age indeed wtf By ADHD | May 13, 2011 3:50 PM I'd say let them work for their money (I'll be "openminded" and say we can allow them to use the monies that the country gets for tacky mugs and t-shirts of the royals but (a) they need to pay taxes like everybody else (b) they need to fund their own security, just like any movie star, singer or sports personality. There is really no room in modern-day Europe for this kind of wasted spending... By Michael | May 13, 2011 4:06 PM Good deal for them.Normally you have to work in the most unconfortable places for a tax free income By van schaaij | May 13, 2011 4:08 PM Interestingly, countries with a constitutional monarchy weather economic crises better than republics. And with the money they bring into the country, I'm not going to complain about the €2,50 per person per year. By lowskieslady | May 13, 2011 4:18 PM My income is 41,000 and I work 40 hours a week, and nobody pays for my facility and stuff.. and I rent a 60m2 apartment while I have a PhD in aerospace engineering. By Roy | May 13, 2011 4:50 PM what exactly they do ? they enjoy their lives with our money. advies : try to "export" them in case you find someone so stupid to pay the bill. By Nikos | May 13, 2011 6:12 PM Remind me again, how much is the government trying to cut from its spending? By jaycee | May 13, 2011 9:19 PM I feel we are only looking at the expense, it would be helpful if in the analysis or the annual report it also includes how does that expense help Netherlands grow further in terms of revenue and economically. By Anand Bhugra | May 14, 2011 1:07 PM Amd to think I manage my household on conderable less and only thing I worry about is elgrotebroer making pic of my car 1 KL over soeed limit on A! By Howard de Barfield | May 15, 2011 5:48 PM Over here in the UK our monarchy reputedly brings in millions each year, however this is no consolation to the 3 million unemployed who are being told to find a job or lose unemployment benefit. 5 houses only....paupers! At least you live in an democracy. By Mick Marsh | May 15, 2011 7:15 PM MickMarsh. Do you mean to say the UK is not a democracy? Explain please. By Donaugh | May 16, 2011 1:02 PM
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Nothing more embarrassing than having a monarchy in the 21st century. When are we going to wise up and become progressive for once?
By Daan | May 12, 2011 4:10 PM