Saturday 6 August 2016

Royal Rio 2016: the Olympics Opening Ceremony


Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark enjoying the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Olympics
(photo der danske kongehuset Facebook)

The Rio Olympics are under way and as they started with a flourish, there were plenty of royals in the stands of the Maracana stadium to watch the spectacle unfold. The opening ceremony of the 2016 Games was all about carnival - here's a rundown of the royals who went to Rio to celebrate the start of the 31st Olympiad.






Mary, Mary, Queen of Rio, how do the Games go? The Crown Princess of Denmark has ruled Rio for the past few days and she was on top form as the Olympics themselves got under way.






Mary and Frederik smiled their way through the opening ceremony - the Olympics are always a bit of a love in for this future king and queen as their royal romance began at the Games in Sydney in 2000.







King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians welcomed their country's team to the Olympics as they joined the party. Presumably they enjoyed a bit more than the photos appear to show.






He might have been flying solo but no one was going to miss King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands as he cheered his country's athletes into the Olympics. The king is a keen pilot and he looked ready to take off himself during the excitement of the Opening Ceremony. No Maxima this time round, folks, it's going to be slightly less colourful on the royal front.






Prince Albert II of Monaco wasn't far behind on the exuberant welcome front as he tried out the hands in the air like you just don't care move as well. No Charlene either, a fact announced well in advance.






Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg went for the always popular slight ruffling of national flag as he stood to cheer his country's team into the Maracana Stadium.





If you think the Princess Royal is going to get into all that arm waving, flag wiggling business then you're in for a big disappointment. Anne did what Anne always did - she stood and smiled and looked very proud and rather emotional.





Other royals are expected at the Games as they unfold over the coming weeks to join the already impressive line up of regal guests at Rio 2016. The fireworks have exploded, the cauldron has been lit and the flag flies high above Rio - Let the Games Begin.

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