zaterdag 25 juli 2026

Wedding: Isabel von Habsburg & Carlos de Palacio

25 July 2026

King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, Crown Princess Elisabeth (24) and Prince Gabriel (22) are in Vienna, Austria to attend the wedding of Archduchess Isabel of Austria and Carlos María de Palacio y Gaytán de Ayala.




Isabel (°2000) is the daughter of Archduke Simeon of Austria (Habsburg-Lorraine) and Princess María de Borbón Dos Sicilias. She's the third of their five children, and the first one to get married.





Simeon & Maria and Philippe & Mathilde have been friends since forever, and their children know each other very well. The families have spent numerous holidays together and Simeon was one of Philippe's witnesses at his wedding.






This wedding was held in the gorgeous Jesuitenkirche of Vienna. 

This was a private event.

Archduke Georg & Archduchess Eilika of Austria with their daughters Zsófia and Ildikó von Habsburg-Lothringen.






The Duke & Duchess of Bragança.
Their youngest son, Prince Dinis with his fiancée, Countess Anna von Schaffgotsch.




Archduke Christian of Austria & Princess Marie-Astrid of Luxembourg.




Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein & Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg.



Prince Rafael d'Orleans-Bragança & his fiancée, Margherita delle Piane. 



Prince Philipp & Princess Isabelle of Liechtenstein.



Prince Pierre d'Arenberg and his daughter Lydia.
Duke Rudolf von Croÿ.

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vrijdag 24 juli 2026

Entourage: New Advisor for Mathilde

24 July 2026

Quite a landslide in the Belgian Queen's entourage has happened as Mathilde's main advisor, Machteld Fostier (68) who's been with her since 1999, has retired. In September 2026, at the start of the new royal year, she will be replaced by Marleen Steenbrugghe.

A skilled and experienced diplomat, Machteld Fostier was with Mathilde from her very first days on the royal scene. For years she was the Princess's only close collaborator, they worked together daily. Wherever Mathilde went, Machteld was present - both at the office and during public activities in Belgium and abroad.

During a two year break, from 2006 to 2008, Machteld Fostier didn't work for Mathilde, but was the Belgian Head of mission in Washington. In 2009 she took up her former position again. When Mathilde became Queen in 2013, Machteld stayed in place, from then on with the title of private secretary.

Just like Mathilde, Machteld Fostier has been a very loyal and dedicated worker, a perfectionist. 

Over the years the two women seem to have become personal friends. When King Philippe was running the 20 kilometers through Brussels in 2014, Machteld came along with Mathilde and the children to cheer him on. She's also known to have selected children's clothing for the princes and princesses when Mathilde was too busy with work.


Machteld Fostier is succeeded by Marleen Steenbrugghe (40) who previously worked as an advisor on multilateral affairs in the cabinet of Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot. 

Steenbrugghe studied law and holds a master's degree in international relations and conflict management.


She began her diplomatic career in 2009 and gained experience at the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the European Union, the Belgian Embassy in Thailand, and at various international institutions in Geneva. Between 2015 and 2020, she worked at the Belgian representation to the United Nations. Subsequently, she served for five years with the European Union delegation in Geneva. 

Machteld Fostier will remain at Mathilde's disposal for certain special activities. 
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donderdag 23 juli 2026

Next Step for Eléonore: Liberal Arts & Sciences 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 choose her own package of courses. Apart from Dutch and English literature (that are mandatory), Eléonore has the choice between history, religion and philosophy, natural sciences, geology, artificial intelligence, social sciences, geography and economy.

The courses are in in English and she'll have the opportunity to spend at least a semester abroad, like all students in the EU.

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).

So, to make it clear, Court has informed us about where Princess Eléonore will study but has not specified her exact choice of study. This has no doubt to do with her personal wishes. In time we will be informed about her precise academic trajectory. 


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 opted for. 

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

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dinsdag 21 juli 2026

National Day 2026

21 July 2026

Te Deum at the Saints Michel et Gudule cathedral in Brussels.










Elisabeth was wearing a dress by Carolina Herrera, a hat by Fabienne Delvigne and her mother's earrings.



Eléonore was wearing a dress by Toteme and a hat by Anne Stoffels, combined with her mother's Christine Bekaert earrings.

Military Parade at the Place des palais in Brussels.



King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and all four of their children participate in 'Tout le monde à table', a food charity organized by Resto National at the Place du jeu de balle / Vossenplein.









In the evening, The King & Queen and their four children watch the laser show & fireworks at the Parc du Cinquantenaire.



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