The controversial song written and performed for king Willem-Alexander’s inauguration in 2013 cost €550,000 in total, the Telegraaf says on Friday.

The Dutch public broadcasters said at the time they had put €150,000 into the production. However, the inauguration committee accounts show a further €400,000 was spent on the song, the paper says.

This went on making the video, renting the studio, an app and other activities and the bill was paid by the committee, the public broadcasting organisation NPO told the Telegraaf.

The 51 artists who performed the song and composer John Ewbank were not paid. Ewbank told the Telegraaf he had no idea what the money was spent on. ‘I did not send a bill for my work or the use of the studio,’ he said.

The song was lambasted for its trite lyrics and style, which included a rap based on ‘the W from Willem’, leading Ewbank to disown it. It was, however, performed in a mass sing-in for the new king on his inauguration day.