Members of the Dutch royal family should have their budget cut, say many members of parliament.

Sometimes a financial crisis also affects members of the royal family. Following the oil crisis in 1973, queen Juliana swapped her Cadillac for a much more economical Ford Granada. She did not think it appropriate to continue driving around in a gas guzzler. But she also had another motive, according to the 2001 book Royal Motoring: she hoped for more privacy in a smaller car.

During last week's debate on the government's 2010 spending plans the question was raised as to whether the current financial crisis should also affect the royal family. Geert Wilders, leader of the populist Party for Freedom (PVV), began the discussion: "If everyone has to tighten their belt, does it apply to the royal family?" A 20 percent cut overall, which the government wants, must also be possible for the royals, said Wilders. "They're not the world's poorest."

They certainly are not. Queen Beatrix will receive 5.1 million euros from the state in 2010. Of this, 843,000 euros is salary and 4.3 million euro for expenses such as staff and equipment. Prince Willem-Alexander and princess Máxima each receive 248,000 euros in 'salary' and a joint 1.5 million euros for expenses. But opposition parliamentarians were more concerned about the increase in their personal allowance. Beatrix's income will rise by 30,000 euros and both the prince and princess will receive an extra 7,000 euros.