Memorial Van Damme 2026

4 September 2026

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde attended the 50th edition of the annual athletics event Memorial Van Damme at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels.

Pleasant surprise: Prince Gabriel (23) was with them. Last weekend he was supposed to accompany his dad to the men's hockey world championships in Wavre. Because of his busy schedule as a professional soldier however, he hadn't been able to make it. 

They also met some of the prestigeous athletes who played a role in the history of the Memorial Van Damme: Sergej Bubka, Carl Lewis, Dwight Stones and Mike Boit.

Recap: Back to School

All four of Philippe & Mathilde's children started their schooling at the Dutch speaking Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege in Brussels. First of September meant the first day of the schoolyear, and the only day press was allowed at the schoolgates.

1 September 2004

Elisabeth's very first day of school.

video: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2018/03/19/kroonprinses-elisabeth-gaat-in-het-verenigd-koninkrijk-studeren/

1 September 2006

1 September 2007

1 September 2008

2 September 2009

1 September 2010

1 September 2011

Eléonore's first day at school.

3 September 2012

Princess Mathilde took Elisabeth, Gabriel and Eléonore to the Sint-Jan Berchmans college in Brussels while Prince Philippe accompanied Emmanuel to the Eureka school in Leuven.

2 September 2013

3 September 2018

More: https://queenmathilde.blogspot.com/2018/09/back-to-school-2018.html

2 September 2019

More: https://queenmathilde.blogspot.com/2019/09/back-to-school-2019.html