Visit to Vlaams-Brabant

5 May 2026

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde visited a campus of VUB University in Dilbeek. At VUB Photonics they were introduced to the world of photonics research and innovation.

They also made a stop at the STEAM academy in Oetingen where they participated in a workshop for 12 year olds. The educational youth center is dedicated to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine. 

Then they were driven to Dilbeek where they greeted the population at the market square.

Also in Dilbeek they visited Welzijnscampus Nieuwenbos, a site where various social services and care organizations are grouped together to support local residents. 

They also had lunch on the campus.

video: https://www.ringtv.be/samenleving/pajottegem-en-dilbeek-verwelkomen-vorstenpaar-bezoek-het-teken-van-nabijheid

BRUSK

4 May 2026

Queen Mathilde visited BRUSK, a new gallery for contemporary art in Bruges, ahead of its official opening which will take place in four days.

Afterwards they also visted the adjacent restauration workshop, BRON.

video: https://focus-wtv.be/nieuws/koninklijke-preview-koningin-mathilde-bezoekt-nieuwe-kunsthal-brusk-in-brugge-vlak-voor-opening?fbclid=IwY2xjawRliutleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeHR-typjpodDuArhY0UxMRBU1CJ0AuUoUnbNg0nJGc0omqNg4dj85mcDjyT8_aem_bw2IEo-p0BI7zgGiopbl6A

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

Queen Mathilde, who's the Honorary President of the Queen Elisabeth Competition will no doubt attend as many concerts as she can. We will be seeing less of her during the semi finals though, when she'll be accompanying a Belgian trade mission in Turkey. During the finals week she'll also spend time in the US for the graduation of her daughter, Crown Princess Elisabeth, at Harvard.

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

4 May 2026: After visiting the exhibition "The Belgian royal family and the cello", Mathilde attended a session.

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

13 May 2026: Queen Mathilde attends a session.

16 May 2026: Queen Mathilde attends a session and the naming of the finalists.

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

25 May 2026: King Philippe & Queen Mathilde attend a session.

29 May 2026: Prince Gabriel (22) attends a session. 

30 May 2026: Queen Mathilde attends the final session of the finale week, and the announcement of the winner.

2 June 2026: Queen Mathilde attends the award ceremony at the Queen Elisabeth chapel in Waterloo.

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.

8 June 2026: Queen Mathilde attends the laureate concert.

Final Concert (By numbers 3 and 2 and the winner) on 10 June 2026 at Bozar, attended by King Philippe & Queen Mathilde.

Jewels: Diamond E Earrings

Around 2003 Mathilde received a pair of E shaped earrings from her husband, Crown Prince Philippe. They were bought at court jeweller Leysen in Brussels.

The earrings are made of diamonds and cognac diamonds.

The stones can be replaced. Mathilde has worn the earrings with green stones once.

In 2022 Crown Princess Elisabeth wore her mother's earrings when posing for a painted portrait.