King Willem-Alexander has urged the people of the Netherlands to continue to work together in his traditional Christmas speech.

‘In the Netherlands, we look out for each other and our shared interests,’ the king said. ‘We must never let this moral value fade away.’

The king described working together as the central theme throughout Dutch history. ‘Active citizens who work to create something substantial despite all our differences – this it what makes us strong,’ the king said.

Most people in the Netherlands prefer to live in a place where conflicts are resolved together. ‘This willingness to take each other into account and work together has brought us far,’ the king said.

People often feel helpless when confronted with brutal forces in the world, such as intimidation and extremism.

‘Yes, there are major problems and sometimes serious tensions,’ the king said. ‘But the Netherlands in 2018 is one of the best places in the world to live, work and be alive.’

A world is to be won close to home, the king said. ‘Christmas reminds that we are the most important source of happiness but too easily forget this,’ the king said. ‘A great future is possible, if we continue to believe in ourselves.’