Queen Beatrix is unhappy about a new book on her ancestors Willem I, II and III. The authors make ‘very selective’ use of documents from royal archives which could result in a ‘less positive’ image of the main players, said the state information service.

A spokesman for the service said that authors Dorine Hermans and Daniele Hooghiemstra had been given permission to use the royal documents but this ‘did not mean that the queen thought that the picture painted by the book did justice to the kings or their service to the Netherlands’.
The book, Voor de Troon wordt Niemand Ongestraft Geboren includes mention of Willem II’s bisexuality, Willem III’s boorishness and describes Willem I as grasping and pigheaded, news agency ANP reports.