The Dutch royal family once again makes headlines in the midst of their Christmas getaway to Argentina, the homeland of Queen Máxima. However, what promised to be a well-deserved family break has been the subject of criticism from public opinion. The main reason: the use of a private plane to travel around the country, a decision that has generated an intense debate about the environmental impact and the monarchs’ disconnection from the current problems of their nation.
King William, Queen Máxima and their three daughters, Amalia, Alexia and Ariane, chose to spend the holidays in a more intimate and familiar environment, in the Patagonia region. After landing in Buenos Aires on a KLM commercial flight, the family chartered a private jet to fly to El Calafate, a destination known for its stunning landscapes. The plane, a state-of-the-art Bombardier Global 500, has been questioned not only for its high cost, but also for its environmental impact, an increasingly sensitive issue in Europe.
The fact of keeping the aircraft on the ground for future internal trips has also generated controversy, especially because it is not the first time that monarchs have used this type of transportation on recent trips. The situation contrasts with the efforts that King William himself has promoted in terms of sustainability and emissions reduction.
Criticism of the monarch and his wife is not limited to the use of the private jet. Many Dutch people have pointed out the royal couple’s lack of response to important events in their country. During their previous vacations in Spain and Argentina, the Netherlands faced various crises, such as an explosion in a home that left several fatalities. The absence of a message or immediate action from the kings was perceived as insensitive and distant from the needs of the population. Although Guillermo and Máxima briefly returned to the Netherlands before leaving again for Argentina, the gesture was seen as belated and symbolic. Meanwhile, the monarchs continued with their vacation plans, further fueling criticism.
A retreat in Patagonia
The royal family has chosen a farm in the San Carlos de Bariloche region as a refuge, a place that Máxima knows well and where the monarchs can enjoy the privacy they so seek. The property, acquired in 2009, has more than three thousand hectares and several facilities prepared to receive family and close friends. These types of getaways are not new for the Dutch royal family, who combines their public life with moments of disconnection in places they consider their second home. However, the perception of citizens seems to have changed in recent years, demanding that their representatives behave more in line with the times.
The case of Guillermo and Máxima is an example of the delicate balance that European royal houses must maintain between their institutional role and their personal lives. While it is natural for them to seek time out, citizens expect their leaders to be more sensitive to social problems and more consistent with the values they publicly promote.
The controversy over the use of the private jet and the lack of reaction to the crises in their country may seem like a minor incident, but it reflects a greater challenge: maintaining the relevance and trust of the population in a world that is increasingly critical of privileges. real.
The royal family’s return to the Netherlands is scheduled for mid-January, which will mean more than a month away from their official commitments. During that time, it will be interesting to see if the couple decides to adopt a more proactive stance in the face of criticism or if they stick to their usual line.
Meanwhile, the debate remains open: to what extent do monarchs have the right to enjoy their private lives? And, more importantly, how can they do so without disconnecting from the expectations and needs of those they represent? An issue that, without a doubt, will continue to mark the course of monarchies in Europe.
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