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Royal praise for Dutch singer’s victory at flashy Eurovision

The Dutch royal family and prime minister are leading an unusual outpouring of praise for the 25-year-old singer who brought the Netherlands its first victory in the Eurovision song contest since the 1970s.

Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands celebrates with the trophy during a press conference after winning the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final with the song "Arcade" in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, May 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands celebrates with the trophy during a press conference after winning the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final with the song "Arcade" in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, May 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)Read moreSebastian Scheiner / AP
    by Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

AMSTERDAM (AP) — The Dutch royal family and prime minister are leading an unusual outpouring of praise for the 25-year-old singer who brought the Netherlands its first victory in the Eurovision song contest since the 1970s.

Duncan Laurence beat out over-the-top, camp-filled performances from across Europe and beyond to win the competition Saturday night with a doleful piano ballad, "Arcade."

Prime Minister Mark Rutte talked to Laurence to congratulate him and hailed in a tweet his "sublime and powerful performance."

The Netherlands' king and queen have said "we are proud of Duncan Laurence, who conquered Europe with musical class."

His victory means the Netherlands will host next year's edition.

Around 200 million people around the world were believed to have watched the annual contest, which debuted in the wake of World War II.