Prince Bernhard has hit out at the Labour party for attaching his name to a pre-election plan to tax owners of multiple properties harder.

The 50-year-old prince, who owns more than 600 pieces of Dutch real estate either in his own name or with business partners, told the Telegraaf: ‘I find it strange for a political party to use my name in its manifesto.’

Business associate Menno de Jong went further, accusing Labour of ‘populist opportunism’ and picking on Bernhard because of his status as a member of the royal family.

Bernhard was 11th in line to the throne until his cousin, King Willem-Alexander, ascended to the throne in 2013, but rarely takes part in royal duties, preferring to concentrate on his business interests. He is a partner in Zandvoort race circuit and has a share in more than 300 apartments in Amsterdam.

Labour (PvdA) plans to increase taxes on investment landlords by making anyone with more than five properties pay income tax on their rental income and capital gains.

The party also says municipalities should have the right to introduce compulsory owner-occupancy in areas with a shortage of available housing, so more people can afford to buy their own home.