The king's art

Time after time the Dutch royal family is compromised when selling art. The famous painting "Boschbrand" by the Javanese painter Raden Saleh, the unique Atlas Munnicks van Cleeff with 1600 special prints, and a special charcoal drawing by Rubens. These pieces of art define the cultural heritage of the Netherlands, experts say. It arises the question whether the royal family was allowed to sell these special works of art, and keep the proceeds of the sell for themselves.

And what about the furniture in the royal palaces? They have been purchased by the State, but the King still receives compensation for their maintenance. According to Prime Minister Mark Rutte, this is all "very complicated, but right." But is that really so? Do we know exactly what belongs to the State, and in that way to of all of us, and what belongs to the private properties of the House of Orange? For the first time, former civil servants, renowned experts and members of official committees speak about the preferential treatment the Oranges receive as they deal with cultural heritage, leading to years of frustration with those involved.

In ‘The King’s Art,’ Zembla investigates the shady settlement of the estate of both the late former Queen Juliana and her husband Prince Bernhard. Confidential reports and correspondence between the royal household and the government’s civil servants reveal some questionable deals.