The Dutch monarch, Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti, expressed her approval of the ECB’s work in preparing to introduce a digital euro.
Since becoming queen consort of the Netherlands in 2013, Máxima has occasionally used her platform to promote financial technology as a tool for inclusion, highlighting CBDCs in particular. Since 1814, the Netherlands has been governed by a constitutional monarchy, with the monarch, King Willem-Alexander, serving as a ceremonial head of state. Additionally, Queen Maxima acts as the Special Envoy on Inclusive Finance for Development for the UN Secretary-General.
On November 7, the queen gave a virtual speech at a European Commission conference titled “Towards a legislative framework enabling a digital euro for citizens and businesses.” She claimed that a digital euro could promote financial inclusion among underserved communities by removing obstacles like transaction fees and paperwork requirements.
A report claims that a CBDC in the European Union may lower the cost of remittances but might necessitate protections and regulatory changes “to handle obstacles and hazards.”
The queen stated that it is the responsibility of public sector officials to make sure that the financial system is accessible to all people and is receptive to their demands.
The Bitcoin Amsterdam conference, which took place in the Netherlands in October, attracted other dignitaries like Prince Philip of Serbia and policymakers like former European Parliament member Nigel Farage.