The Dutch royal family were notably absent from a delegation of European royals who attended the funeral of Pope Francis today – due to a national holiday at home.
Rather than head to Vatican City to bid farewell to the pontiff – who died on Easter Monday – King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands celebrated King’s Day in the city of Doetinchem.
Crowds of hundreds gathered dressed in orange to greet the royals, who were accompanied by their daughters Princess Catharina-Amalia, 21, and Princess Alexia, 19.
Their younger sister Princess Ariane, 18, appeared to not be in attendance.
King’s Day celebrates the birthday of King Willem-Alexander, who will turn 58 on Sunday.
The holiday is a vibrant celebration which typically sees Dutch people spill onto the streets in bright orange clothes to attend street parties and parades.
It is also a tradition to visit a flea market on King’s Day, to buy and sell second-hand items or sample some homemade treats.
The Dutch royals were dressed largely in blue for their outing on Saturday, with Queen Máxima looking typically elegant in a tailored navy dress.
The Dutch royal family were notably absent from a delegation of European royals who attended the funeral of Pope Francis today – due to a national holiday at home
Crowds of hundreds gathered dressed in orange to greet the royals, who were accompanied by their daughters Princess Catharina-Amalia (above with Maxima), 21, and Princess Alexia, 19
King’s Day celebrates the birthday of King Willem-Alexander, who will turn 58 on Sunday
The high-neck gown featured pockets on the front, with cap sleeves and a visible seam down the middle of the dress.
She completed her outfit with matching navy pointed toe heels, and wore a chic fascinator with a sheer net over the very top of her face.
Her eldest daughter Princess Catharina-Amalia, 21, was also a vision in blue, opting for a shorter powder blue dress with cape detailing around her shoulders.
She wore open-toe high heels, and finished her ensemble with a simple white bag.
Princess Alexia, 19, decided on a monochrome look for King’s Day.
The holiday is a vibrant celebration which typically sees Dutch people spill onto the streets in bright orange clothes to attend street parties and parades. Pictured: Princess Catharina-Amalia
The Dutch royals were dressed largely in blue for their outing on Saturday, with Queen Máxima looking typically elegant in a tailored navy dress
Princess Catharina-Amalia celebrated King’s Day in the city of Doetinchem, the Netherlands
King Willem-Alexander and his eldest daughter looked animated as they greeted crowds
Princess Alexia, 19, carried a small bouquet of flowers she was given in Doetinchem
Her black and white ensemble featured a pleated midi skirt, a simple white t-shirt and a chic leather jacket. She carried a burgundy handbag, which matched her shoes.
Their outing took place on the same day as the funeral of Pope Francis, which saw a vast delegation of European royals arrive in St Peter’s Square.
Vatican City was transformed into a fortress as world leaders and dignitaries, including 12 reigning monarchs and 55 heads of state, joined hundreds of thousands of mourners in bidding farewell to the Pope.
Along with Prince William, 42, attending on behalf of King Charles, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, and Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco were all present for the funeral.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands was given flowers from a well-wisher on Saturday
Princess Catharina-Amalia, 21, was a vision in blue, opting for a powder blue dress with cape detailing around her shoulders
The princess took time to pose for selfies with members of the public who gathered in the city
Princess Catherina-Amalia shakes hands with well-wishers in the city of Doetinchem
Queen Maxima paired her navy blue ensemble with a chic fascinator and matching gloves
Princess Alexia, 19, decided on a monochrome look for King’s Day
Their outing took place on the same day as the funeral of Pope Francis, which saw a vast delegation of European royals arrive in St Peter’s Square
The two princesses beamed at crowds as they arrived for King’s Day celebrations
The Dutch royal family greeted crowds in Doetinchem as they arrived for King’s Day
The royal couple wave in front of a windmill in the eastern city of Doetinchem
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were notably absent since they were celebrating Netherlands Day – a national holiday that marks the birthday of the king – back home.
The service began at 10am local time (9am BST) when the pope’s coffin was laid out in the square in front of St Peter’s Basilica, facing the crowds that gathered to pay their respects to the religious leader.
The Argentine pontiff died aged 88 on Easter Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, bringing to an end his 12 years as the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church and setting in motion centuries-old traditions and rituals.
Princess Annette and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands also celebrated King’s Day
