Christmas Visit 2019: Les Sauverdias

19 December 2019

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde made a Christmas visit to Les Sauverdias in Jambes, a shelter for homeless people, persons in financial need, and people who live in isolated circumstances.

Visitors can get breakfast and lunch at the shelter, take a shower and find company.

Philippe & Mathilde had lunch with those present. They also talked to the volunteers who work at Les Sauverdias.

The shelter is run by the Frères de la charité. Nice detail: Les Sauvèrdias est un terme wallon pour désigner un groupe d’oiseaux qui se réunit autour d’un peu de pain ou d’autre nourriture.

video: https://www.lavenir.net/cnt/dmf20191219_01422464/video-aux-sauverdias-le-roi-et-la-reine-ont-servi-la-soupe-aux-plus-demunis

Christmas Card 2019

This extra photo was posted on social media with the royal family's best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Christmas Concert 2019

18 December 2019

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde, along with their 4 children hosted the annual Christmas Concert at the royal palace in Brussels.

Other royals present were former King Albert II & former Queen Paola, Princess Astrid & Prince Lorenz, Prince Laurent & Princess Claire and their daughter, Princess Louise.

Ook aanwezig: prinses Elisabeth. Haar kerstvakantie is al anderhalve week bezig. De “Christmas Break” op haar school in Wales duurt 4 weken. Het kerstconcert vindt plaats in de troonzaal van het koninklijk paleis, waar zij op 25 oktober nog werd gevierd voor haar 18de verjaardag. pic.twitter.com/hj2ctaZnTm

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) December 18, 2019

Crown Princess Elisabeth (18) is on a 4 week Christmas break from her school in Wales.

video, with prince Laurent teasing his nephew Emmanuel at the end: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2019/12/18/voltallige-koninklijke-familie-woont-kerstconcert-in-het-paleis/

Dior at the Palace

For yesterday's commemorative ceremony in Bastogne, queen Mathilde was dressed by Dior.

A week ago, Mathilde Favier-Meyer (ex Agostinelli), international PR person of the couture house, posted this picture on her instagram.

Battle of the Bulge

16 December 2019

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde attended the 75th commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge, at the Mémorial du Mardasson in Bastogne.

At the Bastogne War Museum, the King & Queen greeted the international dignitaries. 

With the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.

With Polish president, Andrzej Duda.

With Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.

With the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian.

With the Canadian ambassador to Belgium, Olivier Nicoloff.

With Dutch Minister of State Piet Hein Donner.

The ceremony was also attended by veterans, the last of their generation.

videos: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2019/12/16/75-jaar-na-de-ijskoude-hel-van-bastogne-van-beklijvende-getuige/

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde then went to Hamm in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to attend a second remembrance ceremony for the Battle of the Bulge.

The ceremony took place at the American Military Ceremony of Hamm, resting place of American war hero General Patton along with 5072 other American soldiers.