The Dutch royal family is at the center of the public debate as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima spend almost all of this summer – eight consecutive weeks – at their luxury villa in Kranidi in the Peloponnese. Their prolonged absence from the Netherlands, amid summer challenges for the country, has sparked reactions from the press and public opinion, bringing back old criticisms.

The choice of Dutch royals to spend their summers in Greece is not a new phenomenon. In 2012, after selling their holiday home in Mozambique, the royal couple chose Greece, buying a villa in Kranidi at an estimated cost of 5 million euros. Since then, every trip to the Peloponnese has been accompanied by waves of criticism.

This year’s stay is no exception, with Dutch media referring to a “luxury holiday” and comparing the royal couple’s behaviour to that of other European monarchs.

A recent magazine article in the Netherlands notes that most European royals are staying in their country for the summer: King Felipe and Queen Letitia of Spain are vacationing in Mayorca, King Carol Carolos Gustavus and Queen Silvia of Sweden on the island of Oland, King Harald and Queen Sonia of Norway at the Oskarhal Palace in Oslo, while Prince Albertos of Monaco opts for the Roc Agel estate, just 20 minutes from his palace.

The article concludes with a critical question: “Should King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima take a leaf out of their peers’ book and spend their holidays closer to home?”

The reaction of palace experts

Royal family expert Justine Marcella used harsh language: “They could learn a lot from the other royals. The Netherlands has beautiful places – Zeeland, Limburg, and Terschelling. But I doubt they ever will. Their priority is anonymity and security. Perhaps the other royals stay in their own country because they are less… sophisticated.”

Royal analyst Gerun Snell added: “It would make sense to send such a signal to the people. We are a small country with big challenges. It doesn’t take weeks … even a three-day bike ride here would be enough.”

King declares himself king … if necessary

For its part, the palace stresses that the king is available 24 hours a day and that, in the event of a national crisis, he will return to The Hague immediately. His only scheduled appearance is on August 15, at a ceremony marking Japan’s surrender in World War II.

However, the “sensitivity” surrounding the royal family’s Greek “haven” is not new. In October 2020, in the midst of a pandemic and with travel bans in place, the couple travelled to Greece, sparking public outcry. The pressure was such that they returned in a rush and apologized in a public message, calling the trip “very inappropriate.”

The “symbol” villa in Kranidi

The villa that caused the controversy is located near Spetses, where the wedding of Prince Nicholas of Greece to Tatiana Blatnik was held in 2010. It is rumoured that it was then that the Dutch royal couple fell in love with the area and sought their own “refuge” in Greece.

The area of 4,000 square meters, with unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea, has become a symbol of luxury and seclusion. Last week, the couple’s eldest daughter, Princess Amalia, was seen in the area with friends, adding to rumours of a family stay at the estate.