Dutch king Willem-Alexander has reacted for the first time to the ‘fuck de koning’ row which took place earlier this month, broadcaster Nos says on Friday.

The king was speaking to a group of seven American journalists ahead of his pending visit to the US, when he was asked about the issue, Nos says, without naming its sources.

The king told the reporters he believes the lese majesty law, which makes it a crime to insult the monarch, should be debated. He said he is following that debate and will accept whatever the outcome is, Nos reports.

Asked if he lies awake at night, the king said he is concerned to find the right balance between his obligations and the limits to his role as king. Journalists meeting the king were not allowed to quote him directly, but had to paraphrase his statements, the Holland Sentinel, which did not refer to the fuck the king row, said.

Activist Abulkasim al-Jaberi was arrested at a demonstration against Zwarte Piet last November for shouting ‘fuck the king, fuck the queen and fuck the monarchy’.

The public prosecution department said earlier this month it is taking him to court because he has refused to pay a fine of €500 for the offence.

The decision to prosecute him caused a storm of protest and raised questions about the right to free speech and the department said the court case will be delayed pending further research.

King Willem-Alexander speaks of importance of Dutch heritage in Michigan prior #NLroyalvisit: https://t.co/mXApcSlQxl pic.twitter.com/VNXnV3ToB6

— Netherlands Embassy (@NLintheUSA) May 21, 2015