Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

Reporter: "Isn't it because the internal instability of the Kingdom of Prussia has restrained many internal government forces, so other countries should be more relieved?"

William IV: "No, I think it's just the opposite. It is precisely because of internal problems that Prussia may take risks and launch a war to shift the target. Only by doing so can it gather domestic patriotic strength and increase the pride of Great Prussia's identity. That’s what I’m most worried about.”

Reporter: "Your Majesty, do you think Prussia will target the Netherlands?"

William IV: "Why not?"

Reporter: “I thought Prussia would set its sights on Denmark, because the whole world knows that Prussia did this last time. It also got the right to rule Schleswig and Holstein, and even cheated it. A handful of the Kingdom of Austria”

William IV: "It was like this last time, but that doesn't mean it will be the same this time. In fact, many people doubt that the target will be the Austro-Hungarian Empire, where Austria is located, but Prussia's target should not be it."

Reporter: "If His Majesty were Bismarck, who would His Majesty think would be more beneficial to Prussia to attack?"

William IV: "Haha, if you are sure and can win the battle, I think it is best to be the British Empire, because the British Empire was defeated by Prussia, and other countries are actually left with the army power that Prussia has incorporated into the British Empire Navy. Those who suffer are those who can only bow their heads."

Reporter: “Including the French Empire?”

William IV: "I do not consider the French Empire to be an exception"

Reporter: “Going back to the topic just now, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Huntington of the Netherlands visits Spain. I mean hypothetically, if he declares support for Spain on the issue of Gibraltar’s territorial sovereignty disputed by Britain and Spain, the Netherlands will encounter Britain. What are the countermeasures?”

William IV: "Assuming it succeeds, I don't think the UK will take too many actions, because this is not in line with what the UK has always done."

Reporter: “What does His Majesty mean by consistent behavior?”

William IV: "Britain does not like words to other countries, and prefers direct and effective actions. And Prime Minister Tolbek has hinted several times that Huntington does not represent the Dutch government, but only represents himself. I think the United Kingdom will follow our lead." With the same system, they will understand the language we imply.”

Reporter: "But the people in London are angry, and the British government may not take advantage of this situation to take unfavorable actions against the Netherlands."

William IV: "You also said that this is a hypothetical issue. Of course, it is possible that, as you said, we have prepared for the worst. But I think the British Disraeli government will have a response plan."

Reporter: "What if it really happens? What plan does the Netherlands have to deal with the British countermeasures?"

William IV: "If that's the case, I think the plan that the Tolbeck government has prepared can be used."

Reporter: "Your Majesty is saying that Prime Minister Tolbeck has formulated a response plan?"

William IV: "Yes, and the plan is lying still on my desk."

Reporter: “Oh my God, you mean that you and Prime Minister Tolbeck had anticipated the consequences of everything that happened?”

William IV: "This is something that can't be helped. There is separation of powers. Sometimes as the executive branch, although Tolbeck doesn't like parliament to interfere in diplomacy, he will not prevent it from happening because he does not have the right. And this is the power of the Speaker protected by the Dutch constitution.”

Reporter: "But as the commander-in-chief of the Dutch armed forces and the highest authorizer of government departments, the Supreme Court and the Parliament, your Majesty has a binding role on them, and all legislation needs your consent and signature before it takes effect. Your Majesty is right. They all have the greatest influence. In this case, if His Majesty comes forward, I think Speaker Huntington will no longer leave the Netherlands for Spain. I think many people in the UK think so."

William IV: "But in this way, I have an unconstitutional precedent against the constitution. Yes, as the king, I can legally exercise some special powers. And as you said, I can stop it.

But if I need to dissuade you from doing this, then in the future, will I be able to stop the actions of every head of government, speaker, and president of the Supreme Court? In this way, I, the king, will have to intervene in the administration, judiciary, and parliament, which will become the source of chaos in Dutch control. "

Reporter: “Maybe the British don’t think so?”

William IV: "The Netherlands does not need to be responsible for British opinions. Therefore, at this point, I feel that if Huntington represents an individual, then it would be even more difficult for me to intervene in the views he wants to express.

Just as I was reluctant to condemn Bismarck's government when it annexed the German Confederation, I felt it would make matters worse. You know, now I will not directly criticize Napoleon III for launching war in the Kingdom of Siam in the Far East, because I think it is more appropriate for the professional cabinet government of Prime Minister Tolbeck to do it."

Reporter: "The British would think that His Majesty or Prime Minister Tolbeck are playing a double act with Speaker of the House of Representatives Huntington, one to ease the situation and the other to launch an attack on the United Kingdom. Is this correct?"

William IV: "You said what the British said, but actually I feel that the Netherlands is doing the most peaceful thing in the world."

reporter:"?"

William IV: "Because we have stayed away from the war in recent years. On the contrary, Britain has been defeated again and again."

reporter:"???"

William IV: "It is because the British imagination is so rich that they have written such works as "David Copperfield", "The Pickwick Papers", "A Tale of Two Cities", "Oliver Twist" and "The Old Antique Shop" Charles Dickens, who wrote "Mary Barton", "Ruth", "North and South" and other great works, Elizabeth Gaskell, who wrote "Shirley", "The Teacher" and other great works, Charlotte Bronte.

It also gave birth to William Shakespeare, one of Europe's greatest writers. I can only say that many people in the UK are too smart, but sometimes their imagination goes too far. "

Reporter: "So, the Netherlands is not doing a double act?"

William IV: "Even if there were, I would not be involved"

Reporter: "Your Majesty is so funny. Will the UK become angry because of this and make an aggressive counterattack against the Netherlands?"

William IV: "If the UK really thinks it is needed, then I think the Netherlands will have a response plan. As I just said, Prime Minister Tolbeck's plan is on my desk."

Reporter: "What plan?"

William IV: "I haven't seen it yet, so I can't answer your question"

Reporter: "Well, your Majesty just mentioned Napoleon III, and also mentioned France's invasion and occupation of the Cambodian region of the Far Eastern Kingdom of Siam in its Far Eastern colony of South Vietnam. I would like to ask Your Majesty, what is the current attitude of the Netherlands towards France and France?"