Usually, heads of state play a rather passive role in the Olympic Games. They show up on occasion, shake hands, take photo-ops, and leave without much of a fuzz. Maybe they are shown laughing with their fellows in a friendly, semi-competitive manner.
Then, there is the Dutch royal family. King Willem-Alexander, his wife Queen Máxima, and the rest of the family have not made the trip to Paris to quietly sit in the stands.
No, they are invested in the games. And when we say invested, we mean it.
Here they are going absolutely bananas alongside members of Team Netherlands while singing Dutch party anthem Links Rechts.
Here they are feeling the highs and lows of the mountain bike cross-country race.
Queen Maxima, King Willem – Alexander, the Princess of Orange and Princess Alexia during the mountain bike cross-country final.
Robin van Lonhuijsen via TT pic.twitter.com/mQtvPJGkbn
— ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) July 28, 2024
And here they are comforting cyclist Puck Pieterse, after she lost a medal in said mountain bike race due to a late flat tire.
Entering Monday, the Netherlands have yet to win a medal at this year’s Olympic Games; Pieterse actually came closest so far before her bike’s rear-wheel tire failed her. Their athletes will eventually get onto the podium, with road and track cycling, rowing, and sailing as their best chances.
For now, however, the Netherlands will have to find solace in the fact that their royal family has put forward a gold-worthy performance.
The only thing we don’t know is whether or not they liked the opening ceremony. You know, the one featuring beheaded members of the aristocracy singing French revolutionary songs over some metal music.
