Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkendende says the purchase of land in Argentina by Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife Princess Máxima is a private matter and no-one else’s business.

The comments were made in a letter answering parliamentary questions asking for clarity about the land deal.

Commotion last year over the construction of a luxury holiday home in Mozambique led to the royal couple deciding to sell the property as soon as it has been built. The holiday home project on the African coast led to so much negative publicity, that the prince reportedly lost sleep over the affair.

Prime Minister Balkenende says the questions which were raised about the Mozambican property did not apply to the Argentinian project.

Daily Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant reported recently that a criminal investigation is being held into the dealings of the businessman from whom the royal couple has bought the land.

Princess Máxima, comes from Argentina.

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