An opinion poll by TNS Nipo has found that sympathy for the Dutch royal family is declining.

The pollsters were told by 37 percent of the people they questioned that they felt less sympathy for Queen Beatrix and her family. TNS Nipo explains the drop by referring to the discussion surrounding a luxurious holiday home being built in Mozambique for Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima. Questions which arose about the state allowances for members of the royal family also contribute to their reduced popularity, according to TNS Nipo.

Half of the people polled want Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende to ask the princely couple to stop the Mozambique building project. A majority of 72 percent Queen Beatrix should have proposed a freeze of her own allowance. Four out of ten people questioned want a total freeze of the royal family budget, and a third of them want the allowances to be reduced.

The Dutch lower house is debating the royal budget and the royal holiday home on Thursday.

Princess Máxima, Queen Beatrix and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander (Photo: ANP)