The king, his successor, and other members of the royal family should no longer be exempt from paying tax, a majority of MPs have said.

A motion drawn up by political party Denk, which asked the government to prepare a change in the constitution to this end, was supported by coalition party D66 along with far right and left-wing parties in parliament.

Prime minister Mark Rutte, whose party VVD did not support the motion, had advised against the move during last week’s debate on the royal family budget. King Willem-Alexander, queen Máxima, princess Amalia and former queen Beatrix are all exempt from paying tax based on article 40 of the constitution.

Changing the constitution is a lengthy process which involves a vote by the senate and the lower house followed by a general election and another vote. A two-third majority is needed in the second ballot.

The same parties supported a motion suggesting the king refuse a €267,000 increase in his allowance, which will take the total to €6.4 million in 2023. ‘It would show royal flair if he were to renounce the rise,’ the motion said.

PvdD MP Frank Wassenberg said such a gesture would acknowledge that the rising energy costs and inflation are putting many people in financial difficulties.