Despite the corona measures, King Willem-Alexander left for Greece on Friday to celebrate a holiday there. The Government Information Service (RVD) does not want to confirm that the king is in Greece, but says when asked that he and his family “adhere to the corona measures and the applicable travel advice”. The House of Representatives reacted with annoyance to the king’s visit.
Despite the corona measures, King Willem-Alexander left for Greece on Friday to celebrate a holiday there. The Government Information Service (RVD) does not want to confirm that the king is in Greece, but says when asked that he and his family “adhere to the corona measures and the applicable travel advice”. The House of Representatives reacted with annoyance to the king’s visit.
With the government aircraft PH-GOV he landed in Greece around 5.15 pm, where he has a holiday home. The king and his family own a holiday villa on the Peloponnese, the largest Greek peninsula. According to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, code yellow applies in that area (beware, security risks). There is an orange travel advice (only necessary travel) for the Greek islands.The RVD says it is a private matter and will not make any further statements about this. It is therefore not clear whether the king is alone in Greece or whether his family has traveled with him.
Initiates know that the king arrived in Greece on Friday afternoon. The flag has also been lowered on Huis ten Bosch Palace, which means that there are no people present. Witnesses saw the government aircraft, a Boeing 737, depart from Schiphol earlier in the day.
Politicians are surprised
Earlier this week, the cabinet announced additional measures to prevent the spread of the corona virus. Prime Minister Mark Rutte also advised the Dutch not to travel to areas where an orange travel advice applies during the autumn holidays. The king’s destination has a yellow travel advice. During the weekly press conference, Vice Prime Minister Hugo de Jonge did not know anything about the king’s holiday. “I am not aware of that,” said the Minister of Health.
Opposition party GroenLinks demands clarification from Prime Minister Rutte. “If the king goes on vacation now, that is really the wrong signal to the Netherlands”, says party chairman Jesse Klaver.
Government party D66 is also surprised. “Precisely in view of the exemplary function that the head of state has, he should have responded to the call of the cabinet to stay in your own environment as much as possible,” says MP Joost Sneller of D66.
Earlier fuss about the king’s holiday
Willem-Alexander and Máxima were discredited earlier this year, because during their holiday in Greece, they did not keep 1.5 meters away from a restaurant owner with whom they had their photo taken.
At the time, the royal couple were on holiday on the Greek island of Milos. Orange travel advice now applies to that island.
