Next Step for Eléonore: Liberal Arts in Holland

23 July 2026

Court announced today that Princess Eléonore (18) will be starting a bachelor in Liberal Arts & Sciences at the honours college of Utrecht University in The Netherlands.

Eléonore's college programme will last three years and does not have a fixed curriculum, she will chose her own package of courses from the humanities, the exact sciences, and the social sciences. At the end of the programme, depending on the choices she makes, Eléonore will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc).

The course is completely in English. 

Both Eléonore's cousin Princess Louise and Joséphine O'Hare, Princess Delphine's daughter, have opted for a similar course, also in The Netherlands albeit at other universities. It's not been made public which specific sciences they have opted for. 

Utrecht is some 180 kilometers from Brussels. I suspect the Princess will be sharing a flat with friends. 

Prelude Concert 2026

20 July 2026

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde attended the prelude concert on the eve of the National Day. It was held at Novum in Brussels.

Princess Astrid & Prince Lorenz were also present.

Annie Geeraerts & Ray Verhaeghe

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde received two Belgian actors, Annie Geeraerts and Ray Verhaeghe at the royal palace. Both of them will be 100 this year and they've been playing a couple in the same TV soap opera for the past thirty years.

They've even been listed in the Guinness Book of Records as "oldest soap opera couple". 

video: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2026/07/15/familie-acteurs-annie-en-ray-bij-koning-filip/

video: https://www.hln.be/showbizz/koninklijke-eer-voor-familie-iconen-annie-geeraerts-en-ray-verhaeghe-op-audientie-bij-filip-en-mathilde-voor-100ste-verjaardag~a9a00d50/

A nice way to underline that every Belgian who turns a hundred years old receives an autographed picture of the King & Queen. Their local authority has to signal this to court, but in most towns and villages this has become a habit. The mayor then hands over the portrait. 

Jewels: Eléonore's Diamond Bracelet

At the Japanese state visit to Belgium in June 2026, Princess Eléonore (18) was wearing this diamond bracelet for the first time. It's new to the family's collection. 

Flashback: Mass for Baudouin

31 July 2003

Ten years after King Baudouin's passing, a commemorative mass was held at the Saints Michel et Gudule catherdal in Brussels.

Princess Mathilde was 8 months pregnant with her second child, Gabriel.

Princess Astrid & Prince Lorenz with their daughter Luisa, followed by Joachim, Laura and Amedeo.
Prince Laurent & Princess Claire.

King Albert II & Queen Paola with Baudouin's widow, Queen Fabiola.

COMING UP Incoming State Visit #16: Denmark

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

Tuesday 8 September 2026

Official welcome at the Place des palais in Brussels.

Visit to the Brussels city hall.

King Frederik visits the Parliament and has a meeting with PM De Wever.

State banquet at the castle of Laeken.

Wednesday 9 September 2026

Visit to the Forêt de Lauzelle accompanied by students and researchers of the UCL university. 

King Frederik & Queen Mary meet representatives of some 40 Danish companies in Brussels.

Visit to the Danish church in Brussels that celebrates its 50th anniversary. 

Return event by the Danish royal couple.

Thursday 10 September 2026

Visit to Antwerp.

Lunch onboard the Danish royal yacht Dannebrog, followed by a boat trip throught the port of Antwerp.

Farewell onboard the Dannebrog.

Flashback: Chevetogne

9 July 2000

Prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde visited the Domaine Provincial de Chevetogne.

Summer Shoot 2011: Archéosite

8 July 2011

The annual summer photo shoot took place at Archéosite, an archaeological site in Aubechies-Beloeil. The park houses reconstructions of prehistoric, proto-historic and Gallo-Roman structures based on excavations realized in the region as well as in Northern France.