Dutch queen’s speech defends euro
The queen was speaking at the 13th-century Hall of Knights in the Hague after riding from her palace in a horse-drawn carriage past thousands of people dressed in orange for “Prince’s Day” – the year’s most important ceremony for the royal house.
Reading a speech written by prime minister Mark Rutte’s outgoing conservative government and televised nationally, Beatrix said European co-operation “which has brought our country so much, is under pressure because of the debt crisis.” She said a “strong and stable currency” was important for all euro member states, but “for the Netherlands, which earns a large portion of its national income in Europe, it’s essential”.
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Hide AdPrince’s Day, held on the third Tuesday in September, came at an inconvenient moment this year. National elections were held last week, but a new parliament has yet to be sworn in. Beatrix was addressing a host of “lame-duck” MPs, and discussing a budget that may soon be significantly altered.
The 2013 budget is based on a deal struck after Mr Rutte’s government collapsed in April.