Europe is home to some of the most expensive royal families in the world. Unlike most of us, the royals are generally given allowances through the government of the country they represent. They "work" by carrying out their royal duties, and are compensated quite generously while doing so.
Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands is pushing back against this tradition. She's recently declined the $2 million annual allowance she was due to begin receiving upon turning 18.
Princess Catharina-Amalia notified Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte with a handwritten letter confirming her decision. In part, the letter reads, "On 7 December 2021 I will be 18 and, according to the law, receive an allowance."
She continues, noting that this last year has been particularly difficult for many. "I find that uncomfortable as long as I do not do anything for it in return, and while other students have a much tougher time of it, particularly in this period."
The princess also plans to take a year off before attending university, and will be paying back the $400,000 she was given as a student.
The Dutch royal family isn't the only family of royals who are costly in Europe.
The British royal family is by and large the most expensive, with CNN noting that the family costs the UK $107 million a year. The family is also one of the wealthiest royal families in Europe. Even with the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as working members of the family, there are still 14 adults to support — and everyone's also busy having children of their own.
Monaco's royal family costs the most in terms of how much an average citizen makes. With a staggering maintenance cost of $54.4 million for only four working adults (Prince Albert II, his wife Princess Charlene and his sisters Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie), it's difficult to understand what exactly all that money goes toward. The prince is understood to receive $14.6 million of the total.
The Dutch royal family is also relatively expensive, which might be why the princess is declining her allowance at this point. It currently costs taxpayers $49.2 million to support seven adults and three children. The current roster of Dutch working royals includes King Willem-Alexander, his wife Queen Máxima, and their daughters, the Princess of Orange Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane.
