Magazine Nieuwe Revu was ‘a bit stupid’ to use unauthorized photographs of nine-year-old princess Amalia, according to editor-in-chief Erik Noomen.

The magazine published the photos earlier this week to force a discussion on an agreement between the media and royal family on respecting the privacy of the royals. However, the magazine was heavily criticised for using photos of the princess, including two of her playing hockey.

‘Twelve camera crews and 33 interviews later it would appear we have been a bit stupid’, Noomen said in a statement.

Restrictive

However, Noomen said the media code is still ‘unnecessarily restrictive’ and that the royal family could be ‘more relaxed about media attention in 2013,’. Nieuwe Revu also faces legal action from the state information service.

The code states the press will not photograph members of the royal household during private events in return for access at a couple of formal photo shoots a year.

Rather than photos of Amalia, the magazine should have published ‘the series of photos with prince Maurits at night club Jimmy Woo having fun with an unknown woman or Máxima stuffing her face with meatballs at no-star restaurant Ikea,’ Noomen said.