King Willem-Alexander will personally present the winner’s trophy at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, with the Dutch royal family officially confirmed for Formula 1’s final race at Zandvoort. The Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, 23 August, bringing to a close the latest chapter of F1 racing at the Dutch circuit that began with the championship’s return in 2021.
The King will be accompanied by Queen Máxima and Princess Alexia, as officially announced by the Government Information Service of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Their presence will add a ceremonial element to the final edition of an event that has brought major international attention back to the famous circuit among the dunes.
King Willem-Alexander given special role at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix
King Willem-Alexander will hand the trophy directly to the driver who wins the Dutch Grand Prix, making the occasion particularly significant. It will be the first time he has presented a prize during a sporting event held in the Netherlands.
The monarch has previously presented medals to Dutch athletes at the Olympic Games in 2014 and 2016, but those ceremonies took place abroad. His role at Zandvoort will therefore mark a first on home soil and gives the final Formula 1 race at the venue additional symbolic importance.
The decision to attend in an official capacity underlines the significance attached to the final event, bringing together sporting passion and royal tradition in what is set to be a solemn moment on the Zandvoort podium.
The Dutch royal family’s historic links with Zandvoort
Circuit Zandvoort is already familiar territory for the Dutch royal family. In recent years, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, often accompanied by their daughters, have attended the Dutch Grand Prix on several occasions, strengthening their connection with the event and its fans.
Prince Bernhard also had commercial interests in the circuit. Last month, he announced that those interests had been sold, ending another long-standing connection between the royal family and Zandvoort. The change comes shortly before the circuit’s final Formula 1 Grand Prix, adding another element of transition around the venue.
Final Dutch Grand Prix closes Zandvoort’s latest F1 chapter
The 2026 edition will bring Formula 1’s current spell at Zandvoort to an end, at least for the time being. The Dutch Grand Prix returned in 2021 following a 36-year absence, restoring the sight of Formula 1 cars racing around the fast, technical and spectacular circuit set among the North Sea dunes.
Zandvoort quickly became one of the most distinctive events on the Formula 1 calendar, attracting large crowds and considerable international attention for six consecutive seasons. However, the organisers decided not to continue the Grand Prix beyond 2026, ending a successful return that generated considerable enthusiasm and attendance.
The final Formula 1 weekend will therefore represent the end of an important era for Dutch motorsport. King Willem-Alexander’s presence on the podium will give that farewell an additional symbolic dimension as the last winner of the current Zandvoort F1 era receives the trophy.
Formula E to begin a new era at Zandvoort in 2027
Although Formula 1 is leaving, top-level international motorsport will remain at Zandvoort. From next season, the circuit will host Formula E, with two electric races already scheduled for 18 and 19 June 2027.
The move represents a significant shift towards electric racing and opens a new chapter for the Dutch venue. Zandvoort will therefore continue to host major international competition even after its Formula 1 chapter comes to an end, although the cars returning to the circuit in 2027 will use a very different form of propulsion.
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