A total of 12,000 Ukrainian refugees are already in the Netherlands, and approximately 1,700 Dutch households have volunteered to provide a safe place to stay

Over 4 million Ukrainian refugees have fled the country since the Russian invasion began, according to the UN. Many people across Europe have already volunteered their own homes to offer fleeing Ukrainians sanctuary. Airbnb has also stepped up, using its platform to house refugees.

The Dutch government recently announced that the Dutch Royal family will open up the doors of one of its castles to stranded Ukrainian refugees. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will open up the castle—Het Loo Palace estate in Apeldoorn—to house eight Ukrainian families. Approximately an hour train ride east of Amsterdam, the fifteenth century castle is able to house up to 30 refugees. The main palace, often called ‘The Versailles of the Netherlands’, won’t be their accommodation, though. The families will stay in a smaller castle within the grounds, usually closed open to the public. The smaller castle is reserved for use by the Dutch royal family as a country house and guest residence.

A total of 12,000 Ukrainian refugees are already in the Netherlands, and approximately 1,700 Dutch households have volunteered to provide a safe place to stay, including Willem-Alexander and Máxima. On top of that, national rail provider NS is providing free travel for Ukrainian refugees as well.

Every refugee is a person, whether fleeing an invasion in Ukraine, famine and violence in Africa, or religious persecution in Asia. One thing is for sure—with this gesture, the Dutch royals are setting an example of how the well-off in wealthy nations can offer real help.