King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands enjoys animated interaction as he meets Olympians at the Athletes' Villages during day one of Paris 2024 with Queen Maxima

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  • The King was snapped enjoying a chat with his country’s hockey team’s coach
  • READ MORE: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands dons vibrant summer ensemble as she visits sustainability group in Friesland

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands was photographed enjoying an animated conversation today, as the members of the Dutch Royal Family visited the Athletes’ Villages on day one of the Olympic Games.

Supporting athletes from their country, the King, alongside his wife Queen Maxima, and two of their three daughters travelled to Paris, which is hosting the 2024 games.

The royal couple were accompanied by their daughters Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, 20, and Princess Alexia of the Netherlands, 19.

Their youngest daughter, Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, 17, did not appear to have undertaken the engagement.

Also visiting the Athletes’ Village was the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof.

Members of the Dutch Royal Family has gone to Paris to meet athletes taking part in the Olympic Games. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were joined by two of their three daughters - Princess Catharina-Amalia and Princess Alexia - as they met skateboarder Roos Zwetsloot (all pictured)

Members of the Dutch Royal Family has gone to Paris to meet athletes taking part in the Olympic Games. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were joined by two of their three daughters – Princess Catharina-Amalia and Princess Alexia – as they met skateboarder Roos Zwetsloot (all pictured)

The King (pictured, centre) seemed enthusiastic as he met Paul Van Ass, Coach of the field hockey for Team NL (pictured, right)

The King (pictured, centre) seemed enthusiastic as he met Paul Van Ass, Coach of the field hockey for Team NL (pictured, right) 

A post shared yesterday on the Royal Family’s Instagram account wished the athletes luck, while sharing some of the family’s plans. 

It said: ‘Best of luck to all of the Olympians in TeamNL.

‘Your hard work, dedication, and passion have brought you here. Enjoy [the games] to the fullest and make the Netherlands proud. 

‘We’re looking forward to exciting matches and special sporting performances in Paris.’

The upbeat message was signed off by King William-Alexander and Queen Maxima themselves.

A further caption on the post added: ‘The King, Queen Máxima, the Princess of Orange, Princess Alexia and the Prime Minister are in Paris at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. 

‘The Royal Couple and their two daughters are still at the Olympics until July 30. King Willem Alexander is an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee.’

A second post, shared earlier today, revealed more about the royal visit to Paris.

King Willem-Alexander; Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange; Queen Maxima; and Alexia, Princess of the Netherlands posed for a photo with athletes from TeamNL during the engagement

King Willem-Alexander; Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange; Queen Maxima; and Alexia, Princess of the Netherlands posed for a photo with athletes from TeamNL during the engagement

RELAXED: The trip seemed to have a relaxed feel, with the King (pictured, centre) taking a seat in one of the common areas, which was filled with TeamNL athletes

RELAXED: The trip seemed to have a relaxed feel, with the King (pictured, centre) taking a seat in one of the common areas, which was filled with TeamNL athletes

Dick Schoof, Prime Minister of The Netherlands (pictured) also visited the Athletes' Village today, looking sporty in a tracksuit top

Dick Schoof, Prime Minister of The Netherlands (pictured) also visited the Athletes’ Village today, looking sporty in a tracksuit top

It said: ‘From July 26 to August 11, more than 10,000 athletes will come to Paris for the largest sporting event in the world: the Olympic Games. 

‘The King, Queen Maxima, the Princess of Orange, Princess Alexia and the Prime Minister [will] visit the Olympic Village where many of the athletes are residing.’

Looking suitably patriotic, Queen Maxima donned an orange frock topped with a blazer.

She wore her blonde locks loose and opted for natural make-up, for a casual but chic look.

King Willem-Alexander decided to wear a sporty number, pairing dark trousers with a tracksuit top.

The zip-up jacket was made from fabric inTeamNL’s national colour – orange – and featured a small badge decorated with the five Olympic rings.

The royals spoke to a number of athletes during their visit today, which marked day one of Paris 2024 (pictured; King Willem-Alexander; Queen Maxima; Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange; and Princess Alexia of the Netherlands)

The royals spoke to a number of athletes during their visit today, which marked day one of Paris 2024 (pictured; King Willem-Alexander; Queen Maxima; Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange; and Princess Alexia of the Netherlands)

King Willem-Alexander (pictured, right) who looked sporty in his Team NL tracksuit top, was snapped chatting with Pieter Van Den Hoogenband, Chief de Mission of Team Netherlands (pictured, left)

King Willem-Alexander (pictured, right) who looked sporty in his Team NL tracksuit top, was snapped chatting with Pieter Van Den Hoogenband, Chief de Mission of Team Netherlands (pictured, left)

Images of the four royals in the Athletes’ Villages showed them beaming as they met Olympians.

In one photograph, the King was seen enthusiastically chatting with Team NL’s field hockey coach Paul Van Ass.

Another image showed the four royals beaming as they posed with skateboarder Roos Zwetsloot.

Among the other sports personnel who met the royals was Pieter Van Den Hoogenband, Chief de Mission of Team Netherlands, who was photographed alongside the King, with the pair appearing to be deep in conversation.

Meanwhile, Dick Schoof, was snapped checking out some of the biking equipment as he visited the Athletes’ Village.