Royals celebrate King’s Day in Groningen, king talks to gas quake victims

Queen Maxima greets wellwishers in Groningen. Photo: HH/POOL/Robin Utrecht
Queen Maxima greets wellwishers in Groningen. Photo: HH/POOL/Robin Utrecht

King Willem-Alexander, queen Maxima, their three daughters and other members of the royal family celebrated King’s Day with tens of thousands of people in Groningen on Friday.

Royalty fans had begun lining the streets early in the morning to catch a glimpse of the king, queen and three princesses. They arrived in the northern city around 11am and will leave in the early afternoon.

The king, who came to the throne five years ago today, turns 51 today. A new poll by Ipsos for broadcaster NOS givens him a 73% approval rating, and 25% say he does a better job than his mother Beatrix.

The day’s activities included a chat with Groningers whose homes were damaged  by earthquakes due to gas extraction in the province. ‘I think that the country really understands how we feel but that any sympathy stops at the Binnenhof,’ one victim told the king.

When asked by the king if they felt they were now being heard most said they did.

 

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