Princess Maxima speaks at the 11th Inter-American Forum on Microenterprise in Luque, Paraguay on October 8, 2008.

Princess Maxima of the Netherlands is in Paraguay for a 3-day working visit to attend and speak at the 11th Inter-American Forum on Microenterprise (FOROMIC).

Yesterday, October 8, 2008, Princess Maxima also visited an elementary school in San Antonio, Paraguay. The school is participating the Aflatoun Child Savings International program, which aims to provide financial education to children.

Read more

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands personally congratulated her country’s medal winners from the recently concluded Olympic Games.

A reception was held for the Olympians at the Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague today Wednesday, August 27, 2008. The Dutch Olympic delegation took home a total of 16 medals: 7 golds, 5 silvers and 4 bronzes (source).

Before the reception with the Queen, the athletes who won gold medals were made Knights in the Order of the Netherlands Lion. Afterwards, the entire team were driven through the streets of The Hague, where 25,000 well-wishers gathered to greet them.

Queen Beatrix clearly had fun with the athletes, as she congratulated them for their achievements.

image used with permission from Newscom

Finally we see photos of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima in Beijing. We know they’ve been there since the beginning. They’ve had a chance to watch their fellow Dutch compete in fencing, sailing and swimming (photo), among others. They were on hand to greet swimmer Van den Hoogenband

after his last Olympic race. Van den Hoogenband said:

“I think I will hug the Prince. He has always been a great fan of me.”

Royal Blog has several photos of the Dutch royal couple at the Olympics:

Sailing competition

Partying with athletes at the ‘Holland Heineken House” in Beijing

Here are some gorgeous photos of Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, Crown Princess Maxima and their three daughters during a photocall at Wassenaar, near The Hague.

The meeting with the media started off with the arrival of the royal family on bicycles, from their home to the Pavillion de Horsten. Princess Amalia and Princess Alexia rode with their father, while the youngest Princess Ariane rode at the back of her mother’s bike.

Image details: Dutch Royal Family Photocall served by picapp.com

Read more