King of the Netherlands: Christmas is spent in the shadow of worries

Willem-Alexander delivered his Christmas speech, in which he gave messages on current affairs, from the Royal Palace in The Hague, the administrative capital.

“Christmas is spent in the shadow of worries,” King Willem-Alexander said, referring to economic problems, climate change and the war in Ukraine. he said he.

Explaining that people are concerned about paying their bills, finding a home and the future of their jobs, Willem-Alexander said: “The problems brought about by climate change push us to make fundamental decisions about the kind of world we live in. we want to live”. he said.

Expressing his belief that the Ukrainian people can be taken as an example in difficult times, Willem-Alexander said: “Ukrainians have been resisting Russia’s brutal war for 10 months with courage and unity.” he used his statements.

King Willem-Alexander wished that Christmas would bring peace to the Ukrainian people.

“THE BEGINNING OF A LONG ROAD”

King Willem-Alexander referred to the government’s official apology on December 19 for the country’s history of slavery as “the beginning of a long road.”

Stating that he and his wife have expressed the pain of slavery victims on many platforms, Willem-Alexander stressed that since 2023 is the year to commemorate slavery, attention will continue to be drawn.

Noting that the Dutch people should not be blamed for past mistakes, Willem-Alexander said: “We are preparing the ground for a common future by confronting our history and accepting that slavery is a crime against humanity.” he said.

King Willem-Alexander celebrated the Dutch Christmas holidays and concluded his speech with a quote from a poem by the poet and author Marieke Lucas Rijneveld. (AA)