Yes I had the same thoughts. The palace is nothing special indeed but the garden is nice and the building has pleasant memories for most people in The Netherlands.
It is really a shame. But this is what happens if something like this is sold. Would have been better if the dutch State had keept it.
Yes, in hindsight it would be better, but the State provides the Royal Palace Amsterdam, Noordeinde Palace and Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, Het Oude Loo (mediaeval hunding lodge) and Het Loo Palace (museal destination) is at the disposal of the King when needed.
I can understand the State feeling: "What can we do with Soestdijk?" but at the same time the four (now three) sisters, absolutely ladies with cash at the bank or other wealthy folks King Willem-Alexander, Bernhard van Vollenhoven, Princess Mabel) apparently were not interested...
See the extensive domain behind Soestdijk Palace.
The commercialization is more about appartments on the terrain of the
kazerne (barracks and garages) of the
Koninklijke Marechaussee which have no use anymore (the concrete complex at the right side):
https://www.paleissoestdijk.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DJI_0523-1024x683.jpg
This is the (now empty) main location of
kazerne of the
Koninklijke Marechaussee:
https://storage.pubble.nl/96897487/content/2021/8/223db811-7286-47e9-b911-9c1ebf1473e5_thumb1140.jpg
The idea is that the exploitation of the top-segment appartments at this fabulous location pay for the upkeep of Soestdijk Palace. The
Koninklijke Marechaussee is a military police force which traditionally guards the royal residences. With no residence at Soestdijk Palace, their barracks, stables, garages, sports complex, etc. are empty. The
Koninklijke Marechausse in ceremonial tenue:
https://www.defensie.nl/binaries/la...n/organisatie/marechaussee/bb/bereden-brigade
Oh yes, if money is an issue: when the King sells the royal domain De Horsten in the most densely populated and most expensive part of the Netherlands (The Hague/Wassenaar) he has plenty of funds to purchase Soestdijk back. Queen Juliana sold Soestdijk for 2,1 million Euro (!!!!) (4,2 million guilders in 1970). The
worst real estate deal
ever.