Dutch Royal's Nazi Party Membership Card Sparks Controversy
The Dutch royal household has confirmed the authenticity of a Nazi membership card belonging to Prince Bernhard, the grandfather of the current Dutch king. Claims of ties between Bernhard and the Nazi party had surfaced in the late 1990s, but he had vehemently denied being a Nazi. While he acknowledged being a member of several Nazi military units, he denied having a party membership card. The confirmation of the card has prompted calls for an inquiry into the prince's past, with the country's main Jewish group and opposition politicians expressing concern. King Willem-Alexander acknowledged the impact of the news and emphasized the need to confront the less pleasant aspects of history.