New Year's Receptions 2021-2026

There were no new year's receptions in 2021 and 2022 due to the Corona pandemic.

12 January 2023: Foreign ambassadors.

24 January 2023: EU representatives.

26 January 2023: NATO & Shape.

31 January 2023: Belgian authorities.

11 January 2024: Foreign ambassadors.

Because of renovations works at the Royal Palace the receptions of 2024 were held at the castle of Laeken.

With Polish ambassador Rafal Siemianowski and Kuwaiti ambassador Nawaf Alenezi.

23 January 2024: EU

King Philippe had an audience with Euro Parliament's President Roberta Metsola.

25 January 2024: NATO & Shape.

30 January 2024: Belgian authorities.

9 January 2025: Foreign ambassadors.

14 January 2025: NATO & SHAPE, at the castle of Laeken.

Talking to U.S. Military Representative to the NATO, Military Committee Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield 

16 January 2025: EU, at the Royal Palace.

4 February 2025: Belgian authorities.

8 January 2026: Foreign ambassadors.

With the USA's ambassador William White and his husband Bryan Eure.

With the ambassador of Kosova, Agron Bajrami.

Queen Mathilde had a slight cold.

13 January 2026: EU.

Prior to the greeting of the guests and the reception, King Philippe and Crown Princess Elisabeth (24) granted an audience to the leaders of the European institutions, Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission), António Costa (European Council) and Roberta Metsola (European Parliament). 

This was the first time Elisabeth took part in a political meeting, marking her first steps in European diplomacy which will become a big part of her life later on.

The Duchess of Brabant was overheard saying she'll be joigning Harvard again at the end of the month, to finish her master's degree in Public Policy. 

Elisabeth was wearing her Armani dress and Mathilde's Dior purse and pearl & diamond earrings.

After King Philippe & Queen Mathilde had greeted the guests, Elisabeth was seen again at the reception, busy in conversation.

with European parliament member Elio Di Rupo

with European parliament member Wouter Beke

 with Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the European Union,
Pieter Jan Kleiweg de Zwaan 

Belgian politician Hilde Vautmans.

In this excerpt the heir to the throne is seen mingling like she's never done anything else! 

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15 January 2026: NATO & SHAPE

King Philippe and Crown Princess Elisabeth posed with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte before a private audience at the castle of Laeken.

Elisabeth was wearing a new peplum dress and belt by Sandro, her Jimmy Choo pumps, Mathilde's pearl and diamond earrings and Mathilde's Furla purse.

This was followed by a reception for NATO and SHAPE representatives.

Princess Elisabeth steps up public role during meetings with NATO and EU leaders https://t.co/PWcIqSlNYn#Belga #Belgium #Royal #Diplomacy pic.twitter.com/iXtUVlAqCh

— Belga News Agency_English (@Belga_English) January 15, 2026