The 2022 Winter Olympic Games concluded on Sunday evening, so let’s look back at how the royal families in Europe congratulated their Olympians.
United Kingdom
The Queen shared a message on the final day of the Winter Olympics, congratulating the women’s and men’s curling teams for winning the only medals for Team Great Britain this time.
The Queen’s message read: “I send my warmest congratulations to the Team GB Women’s Curling team on your outstanding performance in winning the Gold Medal at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, following the Silver Medal achieved by the Men’s Curling team yesterday.
“I know that your local communities and people throughout the United Kingdom will join me in sending our good wishes to you, your coaches and the friends and family who have supported you in your great success.”
Before the Games began, the Princess Royal, President of the British Olympics Association, sent a message to the athletes that said: “As your President, I would like to wish you every success for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
“I remember from my own Olympic career, everyone experiences their own levels of anticipation and excitement of stepping onto the Olympic stage. I know that you have all worked incredibly hard for this moment, overcoming the additional hurdles during these most challenging of times, and that you will do everything possible to make the nation, and yourselves, proud.
Enjoy the experience, and good luck.”
Team Great Britain won a gold medal in women’s curling and a silver medal in men’s curling and finished in 19th place overall.
The Netherlands
The Royal House of the Netherlands has constantly been posting about the Dutch Olympic Team, praising their successes as they place on the podium.
On the final day of competition, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima shared a personal message on social media, writing: “What a wonderful performance by our #TeamNL under challenging circumstances! We are very proud of all participants and look forward to receiving the medal winners in speed skating, short track and skeleton at Paleis Noordeinde. – WA and Máxima”
The Dutch Olympic Team won 17 medals at these Games; of those, eight were gold medals, five were silver, and four were bronze. The Dutch Olympic Team finished in sixth place overall.
Belgium
The Belgian Royal House posted a message of support to the Belgian Olympic Team as the Games began earlier this month, writing: “Good luck to all Belgian [sic: Belgian flag emoji] athletes participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics. Go team Belgium!”
When Bart Swings, a speed skater, won the country’s first individual gold medal, the Royal House tweeted: “Historic gold for Bart Swings in the #massastart @Beijing2022! The first individual Belgian gold medal ever at the Winter Olympics! What a great performance.”
The Belgian Olympic Team won two medals in these Games: one gold and one bronze, and finished in 21st place overall, tied with Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Norway
On the final day of the Olympics, the Norwegian Royal Court posted to its Instagram a collage of photos of Norwegian Olympians with the caption: “The Royal Family congratulates all the Norwegian athletes on an absolutely fantastic effort during the Olympics in Beijing.”
Norway set a new Olympic record, winning 37 overall medals and topping the medal count, but also winning 16 gold medals, the most ever won in a single Winter Olympics. The Norwegian Olympic Team also won eight silver medals and 13 bronze medals.
Sweden
King Carl XVI Gustaf released a video message as the Olympic Games began, telling the Swedish athletes: “You have a great adventure ahead of you. And we are many here at home who will follow you during some exciting weeks in February.
“I know you have been preparing for this for a long time. You have trained, trained and trained again. You have given up a lot to go to the Olympics. Now you’re there. And that, dear friends, is no small achievement!
“Now I hope, just like you, for many great successes and medals. Only you can stay away from the pandemic!”
“Also remember that you should have fun with what you are doing!
“I know you will fight well right into the tile. And make us, here at home in Sweden, happy and proud!
“Best Olympian: Hold the Swedish flag high, as I usually say, and good luck in Beijing!”
Following this opening message, every time a Swedish athlete has medalled at the Games, the Swedish Royal Court shared a photo of a message from King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia congratulating that athlete, usually reading: “Congratulations” and a brief paragraph about the athlete’s particular win.
Sweden won a total of 18 medals at the Olympics: eight gold, five silver and five bronze, placing them in fifth place overall.
Spain
The Spanish Royal House tweeted a congratulatory message to the country’s athletes on the final day of the Olympics: “An image to remember and share the competitive spirit of our delegation in #Beijing2022. We have celebrated the silver, the diplomas, the debuts, your effort… and the joy of having once again lived the Olympic values with you. Thanks!”
When Queralt Castellet won the silver in the women’s halfpipe snowboarding event, the Spanish Royal House tweeted a congratulatory message: “In your fifth games and a season full of successes, we had no doubt that this would be your year. Congratulations Queralt! And THANK YOU for persevering, risking and shining to bring to Spain the 1st silver in the history of the Winter [Olympics].”
The Spanish Olympic Team finished in 25th place overall with its lone silver medal.
