Crown Princess Elisabeth (24) welcomes the Emperor & Empress at the airport of Melsbroek.
Elisabeth was accompanied by Justice Minister, Annelies Verlinden.
Greeting Belgian ambassador to Japan, Antoine Evrard.
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Empress Masako seemed to be talking about the last time she saw Princess Elisabeth, back in 2006. When the Japanese couple was staying in The Netherlands for an extended period they also saw Prince Philippe, Princess Mathilde & their family privately. Elisabeth answered "Yes, it's been quite a while".
Elisabeth was wearing a new set by Maje, paired with Mathilde's Dior clutch and pearl earrings.
Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived at Melsbroek military airport shortly before noon on Saturday, marking the start of their state visit to Belgium on the occasion of the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.… pic.twitter.com/HtnE5Idkv0
— Belga News Agency_English (@Belga_English) June 20, 2026
The Japanese imperial couple is spent the weekend privately at the castle of Ciergnon, in the company of the Belgian royal family.
There was a short photo opp.
Elisabeth was wearing a new dress by Destree and Mathilde's A bag with a story clutch. Eléonore was wearing a new ba&sh dress. Both girls' earrings and bracelets were by Christine Bekaert, borrowed from Mathilde.
Monday 22 June 2026
Both couples returned to the castle of Laeken, where the imperial couple is staying as Philippe & Mathilde's guests.
Both couples returned to the castle of Laeken, where the imperial couple is staying as Philippe & Mathilde's guests.
The official state visit starts on Tuesday 23 June 2026.
Official welcome ceremony at the Place des palais in Brussels.
Two of Mathilde's ladies-in-waiting are at hand during the state visit to assist the Queen and the Empress: Véronique de Limburg Stirum and Clotilde Boël.
Visit to the Brussels town hall.
State banquet at the castle of Laeken.
All four of Philippe & Mathilde's children attend the banquet, which is a first for all of them at an incoming state visit. (Prince Gabriel was previously present at the Belgian state visit to France in 2024 because he was at the time studying in Bretagne.)
Elisabeth was bestowed the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum.
Princess Eléonore is wearing a new tiara! Undoubtedly a present from her parents for her 18th birthday earlier this year.
Wednesday 24 June 2026
The King and the Emperor visit the castle of Namur to discuss water management.
Then it's on to Leuven where they visit the IMEC installations. They also visit the University Library that Japan helped to rebuild after it was burnt down by the Germans in WWI. Japan donated 3.000 volumes, mainly from the Edo period (1600-1868).
The day ends at the royal domaine of Laeken, with a visit to the Japanese tower and the royal greenhouses.
Thursday 25 June 2026
Emperor Naruhito & Empress Masako leave Belgium.
Emperor Naruhito & Empress Masako leave Belgium.
