Royal Olympic Update: Days 1 and 2

The royals didn’t just come for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, oh no. Some meandered around London pre-Games and most have played the cheerleader in the first two days of heavy competition. Let's take a quick peek at a few of the things our royals have been up to, shall we?

Prior to the Games, William, Harry and Catherine capitalized on Olympic Fever to launch a sporty new initiative for their charity and then donned their official gear to greet the Olympic torch at Buckingham Palace. I like Kate’s dress at the first event, but obviously I like her escorts even better.

Other members of the host royal family have been out and about so far. The Queen paid a quick visit to the Olympic Park on Saturday before heading off for her Balmoral break – you can see those details on my other blog. Charles and Camilla met some cyclists while Mike Tindall checked out the equestrian venue on Saturday. A full royal turnout was in order on Sunday for Zara Phillips’ Olympic debut, including the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal. Something tells me Anne’s running her own Olympic contest for the number of Olympic-themed pieces of clothing and accessories she can get on at one time. Can she top this upturned cupcake wrapper of a hat in the days to come? Oh, the suspense is just too much. (Yes, that’s Princess Benedikte there, in the middle of the Windsor sandwich. Her daughter Nathalie will be competing in the days to come. Princess Haya could also be spotted around the horse events, only fitting as she is the President of the FEI.)

Benedikte joins a large Danish contingent of Margrethe, Henrik, Frederik, and Mary who are bopping around to as many events as possible and are bunking on their royal yacht which they’ve parked on the Thames. (You know, as you do.)

(Not to be missed as well are Mary’s fun with Charlene and her most excellent shoes from the second day. WANT.)

Hanging out near the rest of the royal crew were the Greek royals. King Constantine (a former Olympic gold medalist himself) and Queen Anne-Marie had their son Philippos with them on the first day.

More former Olympians – Albert and Charlene – have been out and about as expected. A cocktail party shindig yielded a somewhat, erm, interesting dress for Char while yesterday’s poolside gear was far more typical.

Perhaps the most impressive turnout so far comes from Luxembourg, a family full of cuteness like father/daughter cuddles and dads armed with cameras. (The royals: they’re just like us! Their dads make them take family photos in public too!)

Philippe and Mathilde from Belgium have been in London since a bit before the main competitions started with their brood of four little cherubs in tow. They used the opportunity to give their annual family photo call a British backdrop before hitting the events.

The expressive and cuddly Norwegians, Haakon and Mette-Marit, are also in the house in their Team Norway gear. But they have competition in the field of the most enthusiastic royal family, because the Oranges are in the house too.

Not only are Willem-Alexander and Máxima hanging around with their three daughters, they’ve also been spotted bringing Luana and Zaria – daughters of injured Prince Friso and Princess Mabel – along. (Heartwarming.) And, bonus, they ran into their Belgian friends!

The Games are rolling on…days and days of sporty royal sightings remain. Delightful. What's your favorite sighting so far?

Photos: Getty Images/Reuters/Belga/PA