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.

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.

Queen Elisabeth Competition 2026: Cello

This year's Queen Elisabeth Competition is dedicated to cello. It's a special edition since the world renowned music competition celebrates its 75th edition, a 150 years after the birth of its namesake and founder, Queen Elisabeth and of Pablo Casals, the famous Spanish cellist who is considered one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century.

The winner of the 2026 edition of the Queen Elisabeth Competition will therefore receive Casals’ legendary “Gofriller” cello on loan for four years.

Queen  Elisabeth of the Belgians and Pablo Casals, 1961

First round: Monday 4 May to Saturday 9 May 2026 at Flagey.

4 May 2026: After visiting the exhibition "The Belgian royal family and the cello", Mathilde attended a session.

Semi Finals: Monday 11 May to Saturday 16 May 2026 at Flagey.

13 May 2026: King Philippe & Queen Mathilde had a meeting at the royal palace with the jury members of this year's competition, presided by Gilles Ledure.

Afterwards Queen Mathilde attended a session at Flagey.

The same day, Mathilde also visited violin makers Jan & Matthijs Strick, the father & son who run Maison Bernard. They are responsible for the maintenance, tuning, and repair of the cellos during the competition.

Mathilde gave extensive interviews to VRT and RTBF about the competition, the imposed work, the friendship between Queen Elisabeth & Pablo Casals, and Casals' famous cello.

16 May 2026: Queen Mathilde attended a session and the naming of the twelve finalists.

Finals: Monday 25 May to Saturday 30 May 2026 at Bozar.

25 May 2026: King Philippe & Queen Mathilde attended a session.

Mathilde's brother, Charles d'Udekem was also in the audience! He was seated next to Fang Man, the composer of the conscripted work for the finalists.

29 May 2026: Prince Gabriel (22) attended a session. 

Gabriel was accompanied by a male friend his own age who was kept out of reach from the cameras. Also in the royal box: Machteld Fostier and Yvan de Launoit.

30 May 2026: Queen Mathilde attended the final session of the finale week, and the announcement of the winner: Italian Ettore Pagano! 

She looked fresh and beautiful, even though she'd just landed in Brussels around noon after having been in the US a few days to attend Elisabeth's graduation. 

2 June 2026: Queen Mathilde attended the award ceremony at the Queen Elisabeth chapel in Waterloo.

Ettore Pagano receives Casals's legendary Gofriller cello.

8 June 2026: Queen Mathilde attended a laureate concert at Bozar.

Final concert on 10 June 2026 at Bozar, attended by King Philippe & Queen Mathilde.