Jewels: Fabiola's Brooch

Around 2011, Queen Fabiola (1928-2014) gifted a 19th century diamond brooch to Mathilde. 

According to Vincent Meylan, King Baudouin bought the brooch for his wife in 1983 at an auction in Geneva.

Mathilde has been wearing the impressive brooch for big occasions.

Flashback: Wagenschot

28 February 2012

Princess Mathilde visited Wagenschot Educational Center in Eke. Th center offers help to children and teenagers with long term emotional and behavioural problems.

COMING UP 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.

Queen  Elisabeth of the Belgians and Pablo Casals, 1961

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

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

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

Laureate Recitals (by the 6 non classified laureates) on 3 June and 4 June 2026 at Flagey.

Laureate Concerts (by numbers 6, 5 and 4) on 8 June 2026 at Bozar.

Final Concert (By numbers 3 and 2 and the winner) on 10 June 2026 at Bozar.

Queen Mathilde, who's the Honorary President of the Queen Elisabeth Competition will no doubt attend as many concerts as she can. We'll be seeing less of her during the semi finals though, when she'll be accompanying a Belgian trade mission in Turkey.

Mass for deceased family members 2026

24 February 2026

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde attended the annual remembrance mass for deceased family members, held at the Notre Dame church of Laeken.

Also present: Prince Guillaume & Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg with their son Paul-Louis de Nassau, Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg & Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein (whose first child, Prince Léopold, is burried at the crypt of Laeken), Princess Léa, Prince Laurent & Princess Claire, Princess Delphine & Jim O'Hare.

During the service.

Afterwards the royal couple and Princess Delphine took the time to greet the public. Prince Laurent & Princess Claire immediately left.