Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander celebrate history-making moment for the Netherlands (Patrick van Katwijk) Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander are celebrating a historic achievement for their country. You may also like Princess Alexia to return to royal duties alongside Queen Máxima after months of absence Queen Máxima's most unexpected outfit is now on display at the palace Queen Máxima’s Pride outfit makes Royal history at WorldPride Continue reading Following the conclusion of the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, the Dutch King and Queen shared a special message recognizing Team Netherlands after the athletes delivered the country's best-ever performance at the competition. The Dutch King and Queen shared a special message following TeamNL's record-breaking performance at the 2026 European Athletics Championships. (@ REMKO DE WAAL) “What an unprecedented performance by TeamNL Athletics during the 2026 European Athletics Championships!” the royal couple said in a message shared by the Dutch Royal House on Sunday, August 16.
The Netherlands ended the championships with a record 14 medals, five gold, three silver and six bronze, marking the nation's largest medal haul in European Athletics Championships history. Nadine Visser celebrates her gold medal alongside silver medalist Pia Skrzyszowska of Poland and bronze medalist Laeticia Bapté of France following the women’s 100m hurdles final in Birmingham. (@ ERIC LALMAND)
The results placed the Netherlands fourth in the medal table behind Italy, Great Britain and Germany. A record-breaking week for the Netherlands: In their message, Willem-Alexander and Máxima singled out several of the athletes responsible for the remarkable showing, including Jessica Schilder, Jorinde van Klinken, Nadine Visser and Stefan Nillessen. Stefan Nillessen was among the Dutch athletes celebrated by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima following TeamNL’s historic performance at the European Athletics Championships. (@ Sam Mellish) “From the strength and precision of Jessica Schilder and Jorinde van Klinken, to the speed of Nadine Visser and the surprising golden race of Stefan Nillessen, the Dutch athletes have shown all of Europe what they are capable of,” the King and Queen said.
Nillessen produced one of the week's standout surprises when he captured the men's 1,500-meter European title on August 15. The 23-year-old surged through the field in the closing stages to win in 3:35.70, securing the biggest senior title of his career.
Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander celebrated a history-making achievement for the Netherlands. (@ Patrick van Katwijk) Visser, meanwhile, claimed gold in an extraordinarily close women's 100-meter hurdles final, while Schilder successfully defended her European shot put title. Van Klinken added another gold for the Netherlands in the discus. A golden finish: The Dutch team's historic championships received one final boost on Sunday when the women's 4x400-meter relay team raced to gold. The victory marked the Netherlands' third consecutive European title in the event and its fifth gold medal of the championships.
Jessica Schilder and Jorinde van Klinken were among the Dutch stars praised by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima after helping the Netherlands make history at the European Athletics Championships. (@ Sam Mellish) “The crowning glory was the brilliant gold of the women in the 4x400-meter relay, once again proving that TeamNL belongs among the absolute best in the world,” Willem-Alexander and Máxima said, before concluding, “Congratulations!”
The royal couple's celebratory message came after seven days of competition in Birmingham, where some of Europe's biggest track and field stars competed from August 10 through 16.
For the Netherlands, however, the championships ended with a new national benchmark. 14 medals and its most successful European Athletics Championships ever.