King Willem-Alexander used his traditional Christmas message to urge the people of the Netherlands not to allow themselves to live in fear.

‘Many people in the Netherlands are worried about the future and are asking themselves how we can protect our own way of life,’ he said. We live in a complex world, the king said. However, the problems facing us today are no greater than the challenges faced by previous generations, the king said.

‘We do not have to hide or deny our fears,’ he said. ‘But we do not need to allow those fears to take over and run our society… When it comes to major challenges, we have to show what we stand for: our democracy and the rule of law.’

The king said it is essential that people are allowed to be themselves and live together in peace. Doing this takes courage in these ‘turbulent times,’ the king said.

The Dutch should cherish their free and open society and the way the rule of law ‘protects the defenceless and prevents only the loudest voices being heard,’ he said.

The king recorded his Christmas message from his home in Wassenaar.