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Dutch royals throw themselves into Prince's Day celebrations seven months after tragedy

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With smiles and enthusiastic waves for the thousands of supporters who turned out to cheer them, the Dutch royal family marked Prince's Day, one of the biggest events on the royal calendar. Princess Maxima looked gorgeous in an elegant fuchsia gown as she supported her mother-in-law Queen Beatrix on the balcony of Noordeinde Palace, to greet well-wishers gathered on the streets below.

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The royal party, which also included Maxima's husband Crown Prince Willem-Alexander , his brother Constantijn and wife Laurentien as well as Beatrix's sister Margriet and her husband Pieter van Vollenhoven had toured the city in an exquisite horse-drown carriage. Dressed in all their finery, the group had stopped off at Ridderzaal - or Knight's Hall - for the official opening of the country's parliament. Though they appeared happy and relaxed as they took part in the glittering proceedings, the family are still coping with a difficult situation behind the scenes.

The queen's middle son Johan Friso , 43, has been in a coma following a skiing accident. He is now receiving specialist care in a top London clinic.