"The Netherlands are now, next to the Scandinavian countries, the only country where the royal family does not have to compromise" on expenses, said Herman Matthijs, a professor at the University of Ghent who has studied the budget costs of Europe's royal families.

WSJ: An Austere Coronation for New Dutch King

Prof Carl Devos of Ghent University said that the passage of the speech should have been dropped, while monarchy expert Prof Mark Van den Wijngaert said a comparison with the 30s was "a bridge too far".

BBC: Europe