The Netherlands Experiences Surge In COVID-19 Cases, Crown Princess Amalia Invites 21 Guests To Her 18th Birthday Party

Princess Amalia Holland. (Instagram/@koninklijkhuis)

JAKARTA - Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia, heir to the Dutch throne, invited 21 people to her 18th birthday party last week, even though the government has asked the public not to invite more than four guests in the face of a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Princess Amalia, who has canceled indoor celebrations due to the pandemic, held a last-minute meeting in the palace gardens, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte wrote to parliament on Wednesday, citing Reuters December 16.

King Willem-Alexander's eldest daughter reportedly secretly celebrated her birthday last Tuesday. While no rule appears to have been broken, it comes as hospitals struggle to find beds for a surge in COVID-19 patients and concerns about a new Omicron variant.

Social distancing restrictions were imposed nationwide, including the early closure of non-essential restaurants and shops. Professional sporting events are closed to the public and households are asked not to accept more than four guests.

"Guests are asked to take tests. All are vaccinated. The assumption is that they will maintain an acceptable distance," said Rutte's letter to lawmakers referring to the party.

But King Willem-Alexander "told me that in hindsight, it wasn't a good idea. I thought it was a reasonable reaction," Rutte wrote.

The public disclosure of royal affairs, which are usually private, comes days after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced pressure over his head of communications, attending a rousing meeting at his official Downing Street residence during last year's lockdown.

To note, in October 2020, the Dutch royal family cut short their vacation to their holiday home in Greece after being criticized for traveling during the pandemic while the general public was advised not to go abroad.