HILVERSUM, 30/03/01 - As many as 82 percent of the Dutch can imagine that Crown Prince Willem-Alexander will abdicate his right to the throne in view of the turmoil around his relationship with the Argentinean Maxima Zorreguieta. Some 63 percent consider that Queen Beatrix should give up the throne when she turns 65 in two years' time.

A survey by opinion research agency Ivomar of 400 people aged between 20 and 65 showed that the number of supporters of the monarchy has dropped sharply. Where a similar survey last year showed 87 percent in favor of the monarchy, this has now fallen to a meagre 62 percent.

Queen Beatrix is surprisingly the most popular female member of the Royal Family at present, with 28 percent of the votes, while Prince Claus is the favorite among the men, with 32 percent. This means he came out above his son Willem-Alexander, a reversal of last year's positions. The Prince of Orange scored 28 percent, but 63 percent of the respondents do believe he is ripe for the throne

The number of Dutch people who consider that Willem-Alexander can marry Maxima is still 91 percent. Maxima should disown her father's past, 37 percent believe, but 55 percent do not regard this as necessary. In the opinion of 65 percent, Jorge Zorreguieta can attend the wedding.