The cost to the state of the inauguration of king Willem-Alexander on April 30 is expected to be €5m, prime minister Mark Rutte announced on Tuesday.

This is in addition to the €7m already budgeted by the city of Amsterdam which is hosting the event.

The cost of security is not included, said Rutte at a press conference.

Foreign guests will pay their own travel expenses but will be given two nights in a hotel.

‘€5m might sound like a lot of money in these financially difficult times,’ said Rutte. ‘But it is comparable to what was spent on the inauguration of queen Beatrix in 1980.’

Rutte also announced that nearly 1,100 journalists are expected to attend the festivities, which will end with a concert on the Museumplein when the violinist and waltz expert André Rieu will appear with his orchestra.