Sweet moment Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands console Dutch Olympian Puck Pieterse who narrowly missed out on a medal

This is the sweet moment that Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands consoled an Olympian who narrowly missed out on a medal. 

The royal couple looked very animated as they watched the women's mountain bike cross-country finals at the Paris Olympics. 

Dutch rider Puck Pieterse had steadily maintained her position in second place throughout the race. 

But a last-minute puncture meant she couldn't catch up to Jenny Rissved of Sweden, and ultimately came fourth, missing out on winning a gold, silver or bronze medal. 

Queen Maxima and King Willem were quick to sweetly comfort her after the race, as the athlete tried to hold back her tears. 

In a video posted online by Dutch broadcaster NOS, Maxima can be seen giving her a hug, while reminding her that she's achieved so much at only 22 years old. 

This is the sweet moment that Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands consoled Puck Pieterse after she narrowly missed out on a medal

Willem added: 'It is so great. The whole of the Netherlands finds it really amazing what you do. 

'It won’t mean anything to you now.' The royals then wished her 'all the best'. 

Royal fans were left in awe after Puck was personally congratulated by the monarchs, with one gushing: 'Imagine getting consolation from your King and Queen!' 

Others said: 'Aww love this';

'Super sweet and strong words from the king and queen! This makes me a little proud of our country';

'That's our king and queen.. We can only be very proud of that';

'Very sweet and indeed we Dutch are proud of you and all of you';

Maxima reminded Puck of all that she'd achieved, while Willem said the whole of the Netherlands finds her 'amazing'

Royal fans were left in awe after Puck was personally congratulated by the monarchs

'It's nice to see that our royal couple is there and the people are encouraging and supporting us';

'I find the king and queen really wonderful and human at these moments... and I have nothing to do with the royal family.' 

The royal couple were accompanied by their daughters Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, 20, and Princess Alexia of the Netherlands, 19 to attend the Olympics. 

Puck came in fourth place with a time of 1:29:25, losing out by just minutes to the USA, Sweden, and France, who took gold with Ferrand Prevot Pauline. 

Watching from the sidelines, Maxima donned a stunning floral dress to complement the generously bright and sunny weather.

Queen Maxima (left) of the Netherlands was pictured looking animated and joyful as she watched team Netherlands at day two of the Paris Olympics

The couple looked joyous as they watched. Their native Dutch racer, Pieterse Puck, came in fourth place with a time of 1:29:25

The Dutch royals, Queen Maxima (second right), King Willem-Alexander (second left) and their two daughters, Catharina-Amalia (right), Princess of Orange, 20, and Princess Alexia (left) were pictured looking animated and joyful as she stood to watch her country compete in the mountain bike cross-country finals at the Paris Olympics

Queen Maxima met with other fans of Team Netherlands during her second day at the Olympic games in Paris

Maxima grinned as she and Willem-Alexander discussed the race alongside their daughter, Princess Alexia

The modest multicoloured floral number helped keep the queen cool in the seasonably warm Paris climate.

She paired the look with a pair of trendy sunglasses, long sunset coloured earrings and a bright orange cap in her native Netherlands team colours. She added a sensible pair of fashionable trainers beneath the hem of her flowing frock.

Also sporting a team Netherlands sunhat was Maxima's husband, King Willem-Alexander, who also donned a matching T-shirt to show his support for his country.

Their youngest daughter, 17-year-old Princess Ariane, did not appear to have undertaken the engagement.