The House of Orange is having a moment. Two World Cup wins in one day. That is not a typo.
First, the Dutch women's football team. They thumped Spain 2-1 in the final. Cue orange-clad celebrations across the Netherlands. Then, the men's hockey team. A penalty shootout drama. They beat Argentina. Another trophy.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were there. Front row. Clapping. Smiling. The optics were impeccable. This is what the palace wants. National unity. Sporting glory. A republic? What republic?
Let's talk politics. Polls show the monarchy remains popular. Approval ratings for the king hover around 75 per cent. But there is a but. A vocal minority. Republicans. They point to the cost. The privilege. The lack of democratic accountability. Today, they are drowned out by the roar of the crowd.
The real game is the long game. The monarchy's survival depends on moments like this. Soft power. Emotional connection. When the Oranje win, the House of Orange wins. It is a symbiotic relationship. The royals bask in reflected glory. The nation feels unified.
But do not mistake this for a permanent shield. Scandals fester. The king's sister? She has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Spending. Behaviour. The palace is a master of controlled narratives. Today, the narrative is easy.
Inside the palace, there is relief. A double victory distracts from other stories. The budget. The King's speech. The rising cost of living. For now, the mood is jubilant.
What does this mean for the republicans? They are regrouping. A petition for a referendum? It exists. But it has fewer signatures than a viral cat video. The monarchy is safe. For now.
I'm told the king was in good spirits. He joked with players. He hugged the queen. It was a photo op. But it was genuine. These are the moments that matter.
Tomorrow, the headlines will be about the wins. The day after? The scrutiny returns. But today, the House of Orange stands tall. And that is a rare thing in modern politics.
I'm Eleanor Rigby. That's the inside view.