10 May 2026 - 12 May 2026
Queen Mathilde will be presiding a trade mission to Turkey, the first one since Princess Astrid stepped down from this function.
From 2000 to 2013 (when she became Queen), Mathilde accompanied her husband who presided these very busy and versatile foreign visits twice a year. Mathilde had her own agenda, often focusing on social, medical, educational or cultural aspects. Together with Philippe, she also attended the many work meetings/breakfasts/lunches, receptions and audiences with leaders and heads of state.
For the first time, she will now be doing this solo until the time comes when Crown Princess Elisabeth (24), who's currently finishing her degree at Harvard, will take over. It's generally expected this won't be before 2028.
Mathilde's visited Turkey on a trade mission twice before, in 2004 and in 2012.
On this particular visit, Queen Mathilde will be accompanied by Minister for foreign affairs Maxime Prévot, Minister of Defense charged with foreign trade, Theo Franken, Minister President of the Flemish government Matthias Diependaele, vice president of the Walloon governement Pierre-Yves Jeholet, and the Brussels secretary of state.
The visit will continue for two more days after Mathilde's departure. The fact that she can't accompany the mission from beginning to end seems to suggest that Astrid's decision was indeed taken quite spontaneously on doctor's orders, and hadn't been in the making for the last year or months.
In the weeks prior to the trade mission, Mathilde has been having meetings at the royal palace with experts in the various fields this visit will be covering: the energy transition, port activities, tranport & logistics, health & biopharmacy, aerospace and defense.
