Queen Máxima of the Netherlands once again showed she was a true ambassador for her country, setting an example on National Volunteer Day. The Dutch queen was happy to muck in and help paint the walls of a community centre, alongside her husband King Willem-Alexander.
The royal couple had just returned from their official state visit to Denmark, where they attended a lavish banquet dinner and toured the island of Samso among other engagements.
On Saturday, Máxima appeared more than happy to swap her tiaras and full-length gowns for a more casual look – jeans and a T-shirt and white handyman gloves.
© Photo: Getty ImagesDressed for the physical activity, Máxima eagerly got down to business and helped paint the walls of the centre's sports area in Tricht, a small village in the province of Gelderland.
The Buenos Aires-born beauty was pictured grabbing a roller brush and set to work, while her husband Willem-Alexander took charge of painting the floors. The king was also dressed appropriately in jeans and a checked shirt, and showed no signs of reluctance at getting his hands dirty.
Máxima, 43, and Willem-Alexander, 47, were taking part in NLdoet – the national event that has been running for the past ten years which encourages locals to take part in some kind of voluntary action.
© Photo: Getty ImagesLast year the down-to-earth couple paid a visit to a homeless shelter in Utrecht, and the year before that Máxima volunteered at a Girl Scout group, where she helped paint, clean, and restore their clubhouse.
Earlier this week the Dutch king and queen carried out a two-day tour of Denmark, which ended on Thursday. Máxima and Willem-Alexander, who then travelled on to Germany, were invited by their Danish counterparts Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik to visit their fellow European country.
© Photo: RexThe aim of the trip was to "strengthen the already excellent relations between Denmark and the Netherlands" as well as focus on the issue of sustainable energy, hence the day trip to Samso – a carbon-neutral island.
On their first night Máxima attended a state banquet in a gorgeous cobalt blue gown made by Jan Taminiau, one of her favourite designers. The queen had worn the full-length lace number at the investiture of her husband Willem-Alexander as king in April 2013.
