Updated

A song specially written to be sung by the nation to the Netherlands' new king on the day of his inauguration has been "withdrawn" by its producer after it triggered a storm of online criticism and ridicule.

Producer and writer John Ewbank said on his Facebook page that he was scrapping the song after being subjected to a torrent of online abuse since its official launch Friday.

The national committee coordinating celebrations for the April 30 inauguration of King Willem-Alexander said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press Sunday it "regrets the situation" but understands Ewbank's decision.

The committee says it still wants the nation to sing to its new monarch and is looking for alternatives.

The King's Song was No. 1 in the Dutch iTunes chart Sunday morning.