Visit to Maaseik

14 May 2024

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde made a visit to the town Maaseik. They started at secondary school MOSA-RT.

Next stop was Integra, a center for mental health care where they were introduced to a program that supports children of addicted or psychologically afflicted parents. 

The visit ended with a walkabout on the market square and a reception at the town hall. 

Belgian Coast Walk

11 May 2024

Queen Mathilde took part in the Belgian Coast Walk, a 25 km walk along the Belgian shore starting in Westende. She was one of 7700 participants, part of whom also took the 10 km, 42 km or 80 km route.

Mathilde was accompanied by female friends.

It seems this is a semi private activity: it wasn't announced in Court's agenda beforehand but Mathilde of course didn't pass incognito and the press was able to make good photos of her. The organisers of the event were briefed 2 months beforehand that she wished to participate.

This walking tour is relatively new. The first edition was in 2019.

Video: https://focus-wtv.be/nieuws/belgian-coast-walk-rekent-op-recordeditie-met-11-000-deelnemers

Elisabeth moves on to Harvard!

7 May 2024

Court announced today that Crown Princess Elisabeth (22) will be starting at Harvard School in Boston, USA at the end of the summer, after having completed her Bachelor in Politics & History at Oxford.

Elisabeth will be doing a two years Master study in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, after having passed the entrance exams and what's more, having been selected for an Honorary Award of the Fulbright Program.

According to the official information, Fulbright "actively seeks out individuals of achievement and potential who represent the full diversity of their respective societies and selects nominees through open, merit-based competitions". It's an extra recognition of the Princess's capabilities. "Honorary award" was added in her case because Elisabeth doesn't need a grant to study at Harvard, she can afford it. 

Just like Oxford, Harvard is one of the world's leading and most prestigious universities.

Elisabeth will be sitting for exams at Oxford in May and June, her American adventure will start in August 2024. Congratulations Princess! 

Brain Health Summit

7 May 2024

Queen Mathilde attended the Brain Health Summit 2024 at the Palais des Académies in Brussels.

Theme of this year's summit, organized by the European Academy of Neurology was "From Managing Neurological Disorders to Promoting Brain Health in Europe".

More than 3 billion people worldwide suffer from a neurological disease. The summit wants to underline the importance of more research, prevention and health precautions to make the wider public aware of this.

 

As a student and a speech therapist Mathilde was professionally confronted with this reality. Sadly her own father also died from a neurological condition in 2008.

Muziekacademie Anderlecht

3 May 2024

Queen Mathilde visited the Music Academy of Anderlecht where young people get music, dance and theatre classes. 

This was a taste of more to come, as the Queen Elisabeth Competition starts in 2 days! 

video: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/kijk/2024/05/03/muziekacademie-anderlecht-mathilde-bezoek-arvato-65776136/

Handicap International + Equal Chances For Vulnerable Children

2 May 2024

In the morning Queen Mathilde granted an audience to Antoine Sépulchre, the new director of Handicap International, one of Mathilde's patronages. They met at the Royal Palace in Brussels.

A few hours later, Mathilde attended the EU conference "European Child Guarantee: from engagement to reality" at the Egmont Palace in Brussels. 

The Guarantee is a European Recommendation that aims to create more equal opportunities for vulnerable children, by giving them free access to quality education, quality healthcare, sufficient healthy nutricion and adequate housing. 

The conference is part of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU.