The Dutch royal family is once again facing public scrutiny, this time for spending an extended eight-week summer holiday at their luxury villa in Greece. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima have been vacationing at their property in Kranidi, a seaside town in the Peloponnese, prompting questions from the Dutch press and public alike about their absence from the Netherlands.
Their decision to spend the summer abroad isn’t new. The controversy dates back over a decade, when the royal couple sold their vacation home in Mozambique and purchased the Greek estate, reportedly worth €5 million, in 2012. Since then, nearly every trip to Greece has stirred some degree of backlash.
In contrast to other royals
Dutch magazine story recently drew comparisons between the Dutch royals and their European counterparts, many of whom traditionally spend their summers within their own countries.
“King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain can be found in Mallorca. King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden stay on the Swedish island of Öland. King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway spend each summer at their palace, Oscarshall, on the Bugdoy Peninsula. Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark enjoy time at Marselisborg or Gråsten Palace.
Even Prince Albert of Monaco vacations at his country estate, Roc Agel, just a 20-minute drive from the palace. And King Charles and Queen Camilla retreat to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the magazine noted.
Given this contrast, the story asked, “Shouldn’t King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima take a page from their fellow monarchs and spend their vacations closer to home?”
According to the outlet, the Dutch royals are currently vacationing in Greece with their three daughters, Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane. Their official schedule remains empty throughout the summer, except August 15th, when the king will attend a national ceremony in The Hague commemorating Japan’s surrender in World War II.
Royal experts weigh in
Justine Marcella, the story’s royal expert, didn’t hold back, “They could definitely learn a thing or two from their royal colleagues. I’d love to see them vacation in Zeeland, Limburg, or Terschelling. The Netherlands is beautiful! But I doubt they ever will. They prioritize anonymity and security. Perhaps other royals stay local because they’re simply less sophisticated than our royal couple.”
Another royal commentator, Jeroen Snel, said domestic getaways could be a meaningful gesture, “We’re a small country with a lot going on, it wouldn’t be easy. But I’d love to see photos of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima on bikes here at home. They wouldn’t need to stay for weeks. Even a long weekend or a few weekdays would do.”
A King is always on call
Despite the length of their Greek retreat, the palace emphasized that King Willem-Alexander remains available 24/7. Should a national emergency arise, he would return to the Netherlands immediately.
Still, this isn’t the first time their time in Greece has sparked national debate. In October 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the royal couple was widely criticized for traveling to their villa in Kranidi while the Dutch government had issued guidance against international travel.
The uproar forced them to return early and issue a public apology via video, calling the trip “very unwise.”
The villa that sparked it all
The royal family’s Greek home has become a point of fascination for the press and public alike. With 4,000 square meters of land and sweeping views of the Aegean Sea, the villa is located near Spetses, the island that hosted the 2010 wedding of Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Tatiana Blatnik.
It was reportedly during this trip that King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima fell in love with the area.
Last week, their eldest daughter, Princess Amalia, was spotted in Greece with a group of friends, believed to be staying at the family’s summer residence.