Posted by Henri M
on 14/10/2009, 22:46:20, in reply to "Revenge of the media?"
85.145.85.203
No is not the media but the Oranges themselves who have ruïned the serene and calm image around them.
By choosing a bride from a highly controversial family (Máxima), by choosing a bride with a hidden past (Mabel), by openly fighting a family feud in all possible media (Margarita), by placing bombshell interviews shortly before and after a death with -for an example- the recognition of illegitimate children, the publication of books on the Hofmans Crisis -for an example the latest one- which gave a shocking insight in the rotten state of the surroundings of the head of state, etc.
The times have changed too. For decades people thought that the monarchy did cost some 5 to 10 million Euro a year. But only since a few years we know that it actually is over 100 million Euro a year. This makes people critical and thinking why it all needs to cost this lot.
And because of the 24/24 hours 7/7 days omnipresent media every little hiccup gets overattention. In this climate trust funds on Guernsey or investment funds of the De Bourbon de Parmes established at the Queen's palace, or the princely investments in Mozambique (one of the world's most privileged families holidaying in one of the world's most poor and corrupt countries) does not help either.
I'm sure that no any Dutchman would have uttered an objection if the Prince and Princess would have purchased a nice château in France to serve as their holiday retreat. But the news that they have bought a hacienda in Patagonia and a resort in Mozambique, with both the travels and the expensive security paid for by the taxpayers indeed does not do wonders for the appreciation under the population.
Most of my surroundings first reaction was: "Mozambique? What was wrong with that retreat in Porto Ercole?"
I, for myself, would immediately swap my average Landal Green Parks 'bungalow' for a week at the mediaeval retreat (Het Oude Loo) at the Crown Domains. People simply do not understand it but are expected to feed their bill.
Dutchmen are eternal naggers. That is during economic booms. And even more during recessions. And the nagging reaches its peak when it is about their taxpayer's money.
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