Incoming State Visit #11: Luxembourg

Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg are making a state visit to Belgium from 16 to 18 April 2024. Henri & Philippe are first cousins. 

Court published some photos of the past six Luxembourg state visits.

The first one was in 1913 when King Albert I received Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde.

In 1922 King Albert I & Queen Elisabeth received Grand Duchess Charlotte & Prince Félix de Bourbon-Parme.

1960: King Baudouin receives Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Félix de Bourbon-Parme.

1967: King Baudouin receives Grand Duke Jean & Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte, who is none other than Baudouin's sister! 

1999: King Albert II & Queen Paola receive Grand Duke Jean & Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte. (Again, Albert and Joséphine-Charlotte are siblings.)

2007: King Albert II & Queen Paola receive Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.

15 April 2024

Henri & Maria Teresa are already in Brussels, staying at Laeken castle as guests of their cousins. This state visit is extra special, not only because of the family ties but also because today is King Philippe's 64th birthday and tomorrow both Henri & Eléonore will celebrate their birthdays! Henri turns 69 while his cousin once removed will be 16.

Court shared these pictures of Philippe & Henri, taken by Bas Bogaerts. Enjoying their special moment with a scrumptious raspberry cake! Congratulations to all!

16 April 2024

Ceremonial welcome at the Place des Palais in Brussels on a particularly windy and rainy morning. 

Visit to the Brussels city hall where they were welcomed by mayor Philippe Close.

🇧🇪🇱🇺 STATE VISIT LUXEMBOURG TO BELGIUM

🙋 Balcony scene at Brussels City Hall, where King Philippe and Queen Mathilde get married in 1999

🎵 “Happy Birthday” to Grand Duke Henri (who celebrates his 69th birthday today)

🎨 Painting of Grand Duchess María Teresa and grand child pic.twitter.com/IngnAKSM2L

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) April 16, 2024

State banquet at the castle of Laeken.

Among the guests: Grand Duke Henri's cousin, Princess Elisabeth von Hohenlohe and husband Count Jean-Louis de Potesta.

Prince & Princess de Ligne.

Among the guests: Professor in economics, Stijn Baert.

Prince Lorenz.

Current and former Palace employees.

Coffee in the Winter Garden of the Laeken Greenhouses.

17 April 2024

Mathilde & Maria Teresa visit the exhibition "Histoire de ne pas rire. Surrealism in Belgium" at Bozar in Brussels.

Visit to North Sea Port & Anglo Belgian Corporation in Ghent.

Lunch at the new Provinciehuis.

Mathilde accompanies the Luxembourg Grand Ducal Couple to the Sint-Baafs cathedral where they witness Jan Van Eyck's Ghent Altarpiece (Lam Gods).

Return concert of the Luxembourg Philharmonic at Flagey in Brussels.

Prince Laurent was also present.

🎥 @CourGrandDucale pic.twitter.com/lSHrl4wUmx

— ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) April 17, 2024

18 April 2024

Mathilde and Maria Teresa visit Child Focus in Brussels.

Thematic lunch about Belgo-Lux cross-border partnerships, at the Prince-Bishop's Palace in Liège.

A walkabout at the Place Saint-Lambert in Liège closes the state visit.