Maxima remains the most popular royal, NOS survey shows

Public confidence in king Willem-Alexander has not recovered following the dip it took during the coronavirus after a series of high profile blunders by the monarch. However, research shows it has now stabilised, broadcaster NOS said on Saturday.

NOS publishes an update on the royals’ popularity every King’s Day, when Willem-Alexander celebrates his birthday. This year the family are in Emmen.

In general, the Dutch give the king an average mark of 6.6 out of 10, in line with last year but well down on the 7.7 in 2020. That year the king enjoyed the confidence of 75% of the population but that has now sunk to 44%.

However, there are sharp differences between young and old. Last year 51% of 18 to 35-year-olds said they were happy with the king, but that has now fallen to 41%. But there has been no change in his support from the over 55s, which remains 47%.

Queen Máxima remains the most popular royal with 7.3 out of 10. But again, three quarters of the over-55s and around half the 18 to 35s are happy with the way she does her job.

Princess Amalia continues to score 7 out of 10 and is described as “mature, clever, involved, ambitious” and a good next in line to the throne”.