Princess Royal quits charity over welfare scandal

Princess Laurentien has resigned as president of a foundation dedicated to ensuring victims of the childcare benefit scandal receive swift compensation.

The princess said in a letter to the foundation’s supervisory board that she could no longer hold the position, which has been embroiled in controversy over the cost of the compensation scheme and the princess herself, who has been accused of violent behaviour towards civil servants.

Last month, the foundation was awarded Green light on Thousands of parents affected by the scandal were helped under strict conditions and at a low cost.

The scandal, which brought down the government in 2021, involved more than 50,000 Dutch parents who Falsely accused of fraud and Unjustly command Repaying the Dutch tax authorities for thousands of euros in childcare benefits.

Royals

Laurentien is the wife of Prince Constantine, the brother of King Willem-Alexander.
Political commentators say the princess’s position has become impossible because the Cabinet is officially responsible for the royals’ public activities.

Laurentian told RTL There were no calls for her to resign. “The last thing I want to do is to blame this on myself and bring shame on the people and organizations I care about,” she said.

“I also want to do my work peacefully,” she said. “I also want to be a happy person. I haven’t been in any trouble for 20 years. Maybe it’s not appropriate to say this, but I’ve been a boring person for 20 years.”