Prince Albert of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene can understand the pressures facing Olympic athletes better than most. So with just days to go until London 2012, the royal couple - who have both have previously competed in the Olympics - gave valuable advice to their fellow countrymen who are headed to the UK.
Albert has taken part in the bobsleigh events at five Winter Games, while Charlene swam for South Africa in 2000.They will both be present in London on July 27 for the spectacular opening ceremony.
And they are not the only royal representatives struck with Olympic fever after a number of European houses confirmed their attendance in London.
Denmark appears to have the biggest contingent of royal supporters.
Queen Margrethe II and her husband Henrik will attend the inaugural event alongside Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary.They will all be joined at a later date by Frederik's brother, Joachim and Princess Marie.The Danish family have decided to base themselves onboard the royal yacht Dannebrog during the Games.With a little home from home moored at the port of London, the youngest generation of Danish royals may also attend.Frederik and Mary could share the experience with their four children, Prince Christian, Princess Isabella and their twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.And onlookers will be eager to see whether Marie and Joachim will attend with their little ones, Prince Henrik and his little sister, Princess Athena, who was born in January.
Another royal house with a big presence is Sweden.Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and her brother Prince Carl Philip will be in London from July 30 until August 3.It's little surprise the premier couple want to be in the capital to cheer on their athletes. Daniel is a former fitness instructor who met his future wife when he became her personal trainer.King Carl Gustaf XVI and Queen Silvia will arrive in London on August 7 and will stay until the end of the Games. The Netherlands has confirmed that Willem-Alexander, Princess Maxima and their daughters, Amaila, Alexia and Ariane, will also be attending.
It's not the first time the family have been caught up in the excitement of the Olympics – they were seen enthusiastically cheering on their athletes at the Beijing Games in 2008 (above).Belgium's Prince Philippe and his wife Princess Mathilde, along with Norway's Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit are also attending the opening ceremony.It is thought that Spain's royal family will also be represented.While there has been no confirmation, the royal family are not taking their usual summer holiday in Majorca because of the Olympic program.It's likely that sports-fans Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia will want to cheer on their athletes – they both went along to Euro 2012 to show their support for Spain, who went on to win the competition.
Royal watchers are also waiting for confirmation from Luxembourg.So far it is not known whether Grand Duke Henri and Duchess Maria Teresa will be making an appearance, nor whether their son Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke and his fiancé Countess Stephanie de Lannoy will be there.But everyone will be hoping for a glimpse of the betrothed couple, who are set to tie the knot on October 20.
