Margriet is eighth in line to the throne but is the aunt of the reigning Dutch monarch King Willem-Alexander and a high profile public figure, including serving as a member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Honorary Board.

She was welcomed by figures including Jochem Schellens, manager of the National Sports Centre, Rita van Driel, secretary general of the Dutch Paralympic Committee, and André Cats, the Dutch Chef de Mission for Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016.

In a tour around the venue she then met members of the shooting team and the athletics squad as well as observing a fitness training session with the skiers and snowboarders,

She also met Gertjan van der Linden, head coach of the Dutch wheelchair basketball team, and Barbara van Bergen, captain of the women's team which won a bronze medal at London 2012.

Princess Margriet meets members of the wheelchair basketball team on her royal visit


During lunch, where President of Netherlands National Paralympic Committee Wim Ludeke was also present, Princess Margriet took the time to get to know the Alpine skiers, snowboarders and coaches, who were together at Papendal.

The Princess then attended part of a training session with the wheelchair basketball team.

"We are very happy with the long-term commitment of the Princess to Paralympic sport," said Cats.

"This connection leads back to the Paralympic Games of 1980 here at Papendal.

"Her close interest is very much appreciated by our athletes.

"During the last Games, the Princess and her husband Pieter van Vollenhoven were present in London, where they celebrated the many successes of Paralympic Team Netherlands with us."

Cats also provided the Princess with an update on preparations for Sochi 2014.

Four Dutch athletes have already qualified consisting of three Alpine skiers Kees-Jan van der Klooster, Anna Jochemsen and Bart Verbruggen, as well as snowboarder Bibian Mentel.

Another five athletes others remain in the race for qualification.

These are skier Thomas Mulder and snowboarders Merijn Koek, Chris Vos, Lisa Bunschoten and Ilse van Rhenen.

This will certainly mark an improvement from the Vancouver Games in 2010 when van der Klooster was the only Dutch participant and finished well outside the medals in his three events.