The Dutch royal family basked in the glow of a historic World Cup double this weekend, as the Netherlands women's football team clinched their second consecutive title. For the British monarchy, watching from a distance, it was a stark reminder of the gulf between populist appeal and constitutional duty.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were pitchside at the Stade de France, visibly emotional as their team lifted the trophy. The victory, a 2-1 triumph over Spain, marked the Netherlands' second title in three years and cemented their status as the dominant force in women's football. The king, a former member of the International Olympic Committee, was seen punching the air in celebration, a rare display of unscripted joy for a monarch.
Back in the UK, Buckingham Palace offered a terse statement congratulating the Dutch team. But for many working-class Britons, the contrast was striking. Here was a royal family that seemed to genuinely share in the nation's triumph, while at home, the Windsors remain largely aloof from the grassroots passions that unite communities.
This is more than just a football story. It speaks to a deeper unease about the relevance of monarchy in an age of inequality. The cost of living crisis has squeezed household budgets. A pint of milk costs 10p more than last year, and energy bills are set to rise again. Yet, the British royal family continues to enjoy lavish state-funded lifestyles, their castles and carriages a world away from the terraced houses of the industrial North.
Union leaders have long argued that the monarchy is a symbol of the establishment that props up a system rigged against working people. The Dutch royals, by contrast, have made efforts to connect. King Willem-Alexander worked as a commercial pilot before ascending the throne, and the family regularly participates in public events that feel spontaneous rather than stage-managed.
But for all the warmth of the Dutch celebrations, the reality is that the British monarchy remains deeply entrenched. The cost of the crown is estimated at £345 million per year, a figure that chafes when public services are strained. The question is not whether the royals will be abolished, but whether they can evolve to reflect the values of a nation grappling with economic stagnation.
For now, the Dutch victory is a moment of shared joy. But for those watching from the margins of the North, it is also a reminder that some symbols of national pride feel closer to the kitchen table than others.