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GV Aircraft landing
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Royal car leaves airport with Prince waving
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SV & GV Palace
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GV Cars arriving at palace and Queen Juliana and Prince enter (3 shots)
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TELERECORDING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Dutch Prime Minister Joop den Uyl told parliament on Thursday (26 August) that Prince Bernhard has resigned as Inspector-General of Holland's armed forces and has relinquished his other main official posts.

SYNOPSIS: Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard flew home from a twice-interrupted Italian holiday in time for the statement to parliament by the Prime Minister. The Prince agreed to the various resignations after being severely criticised by a commission of inquiry into allegations that he took one million dollars (550,000 sterling) in bribes from America's Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. His decision was given to a special session of parliament by Prime Minister den Uyl who then presented the findings of the commission. The prime Minister told parliament that the Prince had shown himself open to dishonourable favours and had harmed the interests of the state.

The criticisms by both the Prime Minister and the commission were far tougher than had been expected. The Prince has acknowledged that his relations with several top Lockheed officials had developed along the wrong lines. He stated that in particular, he had not observed the caution that was required by reason of his vulnerable position as consort of the Queen. He accepted full responsibility for this and agreed with the commission's report. The Prince expressed his sincere regrets to the people of the Netherlands.