Private: Princess Mary's 40th Birthday

Philippe & Mathilde were among the guests at Crown Princess Mary of Denmark's 40th birthday party in Denmark. 

4 February 2012

On the evening of her 40th birthday, Mary hosted a private dinner party for her friends and relatives at Frederik VIIIs Palae at Amaienborg.Din ner for the 140 guests took place in Riddersalen & Havesalen, with everybody seated at round tables.

Queen Margrethe arrived with Carina Axelsson. Prince Henrik was also present.

 Crown prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde of Belgium, being picked up from the airport and arriving at Frederik & Mary's home.

 Princess Alexandra von Sayn Wittgenstein Berleburg. Behind her: Prince Nikolaos of Greece.

Not shown on these pictures but also present were Mary's sister Jane Donaldson and Mary's Australian friend Amber Petty. Also present: prince Pavlos & princess Marie Chantal of Greece.

Brother and sister: Count Valdemar and Countess Marina af Rosenborg.

Count Michael & Countess Caroline Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille with Ellen Hillingsø.

Peter & Caroline Heering.

Countess Jean Ahlefeldt-Laurvig & Baroness Caroline Fleming.

Holger Foss & Rose Gad.

Tanja & Chris Minh Doky.

Marie-Louise Heering & Marc Høm.

Rikke & Michael Juul Brandt.

Søren Jessen & Julie Mølsgaard.

Malou & Jørgen Skeel.

Christian & Elisabeth Buchwald.

Bendt & Pernille Wedell-Wedellsborg.

Peter Warnøe.

Count Otto & Countess Helle Reedtz-Thott. 

Countess Victoria Bernstorff-Gyldensteen.

Lego heiress Sofie Kirk Kristiansen & husband Christopher Kjær Thomsen.

At midnight champagne was served and birthday songs were sung. There was a performance by rapper L.O.C.

Diplomatic Contact Days 2026

3 February 2026

The annual diplomatic contact days are taking place in Brussels this week. This means all Belgian ambassadors, permanent representatives and consuls-general from around the world come together in to share experiences, exchange knowledge and strengthen Belgian diplomacy.

Part of this week is the reception at the royal palace with King Philippe & Queen Mathilde.

Ahead of the reception, Philippe & Mathilde had audiences with the Belgian ambassadors of the countries they will be visiting later this year.

COMING UP State Visit #19: Kazakhstan

In October 2026 King Philippe & Queen Mathilde will be making a state visit to Kazakhstan.

Jewels: Diamond Earrings

At King Carl Gustav of Sweden's 70th birthday dinner in April 2016, Queen Mathilde was seen wearing these diamond earrings for the first time.

Other occasions:

In July 2024, Crown Princess Elisabeth wore them for the first time.

COMING UP Incoming State Visit #16: Denmark

In September 2026 King Frederik & Queen Mary of Denmark will be making a state visit to Belgium.

Global Appeal to End the Stigma on Leprosy

29 January 2026

Queen Mathilde received a delegation of Education International, Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative and Damiaanactie/Action Damien at the royal palace for their Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy, which had been launched in Brussels that same day.

COMING UP State Visit #18: Norway

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde's next state visit will take them to Norway from 24 March 2026 to 26 March 2026.

The royal couple and their delegation will be visiting Oslo and Stavanger.

New Year's Receptions 2021-2026

There were no new year's receptions in 2021 and 2022 due to the Corona pandemic.

12 January 2023: Foreign ambassadors.

24 January 2023: EU representatives.

26 January 2023: NATO & Shape.

31 January 2023: Belgian authorities.

11 January 2024: Foreign ambassadors.

Because of renovations works at the Royal Palace the receptions of 2024 were held at the castle of Laeken.

With Polish ambassador Rafal Siemianowski and Kuwaiti ambassador Nawaf Alenezi.

23 January 2024: EU

King Philippe had an audience with Euro Parliament's President Roberta Metsola.

25 January 2024: NATO & Shape.

30 January 2024: Belgian authorities.

9 January 2025: Foreign ambassadors.

14 January 2025: NATO & SHAPE, at the castle of Laeken.

Talking to U.S. Military Representative to the NATO, Military Committee Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield 

16 January 2025: EU, at the Royal Palace.

4 February 2025: Belgian authorities.

8 January 2026: Foreign ambassadors.

With the USA's ambassador William White and his husband Bryan Eure.

With the ambassador of Kosova, Agron Bajrami.

Queen Mathilde had a slight cold.

13 January 2026: EU.

Prior to the greeting of the guests and the reception, King Philippe and Crown Princess Elisabeth (24) granted an audience to the leaders of the European institutions, Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission), António Costa (European Council) and Roberta Metsola (European Parliament). 

This was the first time Elisabeth took part in a political meeting, marking her first steps in European diplomacy which will become a big part of her life later on.

The Duchess of Brabant was overheard saying she'll be joigning Harvard again at the end of the month, to finish her master's degree in Public Policy. 

Elisabeth was wearing her Armani dress and Mathilde's Dior purse and pearl & diamond earrings.

After King Philippe & Queen Mathilde had greeted the guests, Elisabeth was seen again at the reception, busy in conversation.

with European parliament member Elio Di Rupo

with European parliament member Wouter Beke

 with Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the European Union,
Pieter Jan Kleiweg de Zwaan 

Belgian politician Hilde Vautmans.

In this excerpt the heir to the throne is seen mingling like she's never done anything else! 

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15 January 2026: NATO & SHAPE

King Philippe and Crown Princess Elisabeth posed with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte before a private audience at the castle of Laeken.

Elisabeth was wearing a new peplum dress and belt by Sandro, her Jimmy Choo pumps, Mathilde's pearl and diamond earrings and Mathilde's Furla purse.

This was followed by a reception for NATO and SHAPE representatives.

Princess Elisabeth steps up public role during meetings with NATO and EU leaders https://t.co/PWcIqSlNYn#Belga #Belgium #Royal #Diplomacy pic.twitter.com/iXtUVlAqCh

— Belga News Agency_English (@Belga_English) January 15, 2026

28 January 2026: Belgian authorities