Three quarters of Dutch people living abroad oppose abolishing the Dutch royal house. But the role the House of Orange should have meets with less unanimity. On the eve of Queen's Day, celebrated every year on 30 April, Radio Netherlands Worldwide polled more than 1,000 expats and emigrants.

Half of those questioned want the royal family to fulfil a merely ceremonial role devoid of any political power. Forty-five percent rejects this view and five percent has no opinion on the matter.

Unanimity
The reason expats and emigrants most often cite to preserve the monarchy is that it promotes popular unity. "It provides stability in uncertain times," is a characteristic response. Others question the alternatives: "No elected president could match Queen Beatrix's knowledge," says one interviewee. Another warns: "Choosing a president every five years is far more costly, and a president has no political independence."
 Photo:Queen Beatrix with Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, his wife Princess Máxima and their three children Catharina-Amalia, Alexia and Ariane
Queen Beatrix with Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, his wife Princess Máxima and their three children Catharina-Amalia, Alexia and Ariane

Undemocratic
Sixteen percent of those questioned would like to abolish the monarchy, most of them because they think it has no place in a modern society. A few consider the institution undemocratic. Four percent of the latter expect the monarchy to disappear very soon. So soon, in fact, they think Crown Prince Willem-Alexander will never be crowned. Three quarters of respondents, however, don't think there is a conflict between democracy and monarchy.

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