Sunday, the 5th of September 2021 was the day of the Dutch Formula 1, with the race being held at the Zandvoort circuit, which belongs to Prince Bernhard’s company.
The pilots and public equally were surprised by the appearance of King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, Princess Catharina-Amalia and Princess Ariane at the circuit. Before the beginning of the race, the royals were given a tour of Max Verstappen’s pit box and the front of his race car.
Embed from Getty ImagesMax Verstappen, one of the biggest names in Formula 1, drives for the Red Bull team. He races for the Netherlands, although he also has Belgian citizenship and was born and raised in Belgium. He comes from a family of race pilots, and is continuing what was his father’s and his maternal grandfather’s job.
Verstappen took to Instagram following the race to thank the Royals for the support.
Following the tour, the royal visitors took to the stands and watched the race, each wearing at least one item in orange.
After the race concluded with the victory of Max Verstappen (with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, both driving for Mercedes, taking second and third place respectively), King Willem-Alexander stopped to talk to journalists.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis Majesty had nothing but praise for Verstappen’s victory, the race in general, the public’s enthusiasm, and the event management. He said that the race was “insane with a dream winner” and that “it was a sporting event, and the Netherlands has shown its best side”.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima have three daughters, but their middle child, Princess Alexia, was missing from the family trip as she is now at UWC Atlantic College, in Wales, where she will be studying for the next two years.
