Book: Achttien

 A new book on Princess Elisabeth, albeit a fictional version of the real life Elisabeth ...

In his latest novel 'Achttien' (Eightteen), Belgian author Maarten Inghels intertwines his fictional adventures as author of a literary portrait on Princess Elisabeth, commissioned for her 18th birthday, with memories of himself at the same age, and reflections about the way his young daughter looks at the world, a vision populated with princess dresses and unicorns. 

It's a highly entertaining novel, published in Dutch by Das Mag. Inghels has certainly done his homework, researching all there is to know about Elisabeth, even though in his version the Princess writes poetry that she wants to see published under an alias, she escapes her bodyguards to take part in climate protest marches and she has "Balance ton porc" (MeToo) tatooed on her lower abdomen.

The best part of the book however is where Inghels talks about his own time as a young poet and the surveys he performed about the hopes, fears and dreams of Belgian 18 year olds today.

Warmly recommended! 

Achttien
Maarten Inghels
Das Mag, 2026
ISBN 9789493399709
https://dasmag.nl/product/achttien/
€ 22,99

Jewels: Kunzite Set

At the Armistice Concert of 2018 Queen Mathilde wore a gorgeous new pair of earrings with a large pink gemstone.

They were given a second outing at the Belgian state visit to South Korea in March 2019.

At this occasion she also wore a matching ring.

Thanks to a reader of this blog I was tipped the set was bought at Sotheby's London in 2018, at the same auction where the Confalonieri brooch was bought (this one: https://queenmathilde.blogspot.com/2022/10/jewels-diamond-medallion-brooch.html).

The set is described as: 

"Each earring set with a pear-shaped kunzite framed by brilliant-cut and tapered baguette diamonds, suspended from a line of brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds, post fittings, British hallmarks; and a ring set with an oval kunzite, framed by brilliant-cut and tapered baguette diamonds, size L1/2, British hallmarks."

In 2022 the ring was worn for the first time by Crown Princess Elisabeth, at the 18th birthday gala of Princess Ingrid of Norway.

In 2023 Elisabeth wore the complete set for the first time.

Flashback: Second Trade Visit to India

20 March 2010

Arrival at the airport of New Dehli at the start of a seven-day economic mission.

21 March 2010

At the Unesco World Heritage site of the Humayun's tomb.

22 March 2010

Wreath laying ceremony at the Ghandi Memorial.

23 March 2010

Visit to the Ghandi memorial in Pune.

Visit to the Disha Institute, a home for women and children in Pune.

Visit to the Bekaert plant in Pune.

A visit to the Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reform Movement.

24 March 2010

With the Governor of Maharashtra, K. Sankaranarayanan and his wife Radha at Raj Bhavan.

25 March 2010

Visit to the St Blaize School at Amboli in Mumbai. 

Celebration of 'Day of Hope' with children at Jeanne De Vos's National Domestic Workers Movement.

Luncheon organised by the Sahachari Foundation to discuss social issues.

Gala evening.

Indian Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, Princess Mathilde & Prince Philippe and Sunita Kapoor at a fashion show in Mumbai.