National song for new Dutch king 'scrapped' after being criticized online
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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song specially written to be sung by the nation to the Netherlands' new king on the day of his inauguration has been "withdrawn" by its producer after it triggered a storm of online criticism and ridicule.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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.