The popularity of the Dutch monarchy has improved for the first time since 2020, when the royal family travelled to Greece for a holiday while the rest of the country was subject to coronavirus restrictions.

According to a new EenVandaag poll, 59% of the population now say the monarchy should remain in place, compared with 52% last year. Support for a republic has fallen by a similar margin, from 37% to 31%.

Experts say the increase in support for the monarchy is not due to king Willem-Alexander and queen Máxima themselves, but rather because they are seen as a stabilising force in uncertain times.

“In times in which society is becoming more polarised and institutions are under fire, the monarchy offers certainty,” said constitutional expert Peter Rehwinkel.

“A neutral king is also seen as a protector of democracy,” said researcher Rozemarijn Lubbe. “Political tension, war, and leaders such as Trump have led some people to see a system with one chosen leader with a lot of power as too risky,” she said.

Individual support for king Willem-Alexander rose from 53% to 57%, while backing for queen Máxima increased from 55% to 59%.

In the early years of his reign, around 80% of the population supported the king.