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 started on Tuesday 23 June 2026.
Official welcome ceremony at the Place des palais in Brussels.
Two of Mathilde's ladies-in-waiting were 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 attended the banquet, which was 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.)
Princess Astrid & Prince Lorenz were also present.
Princess Eléonore was wearing a new tiara! It was confirmed to be a present from her parents for her 18th birthday earlier this year.
Crown Princess Elisabeth was seated between Vincent Blondel, chairman of the Senate and PM De Wever.
King Philippe: "Lors de sa visite en Belgique en 1882, à l'invitation du Roi Léopold II, le Prince Arisugawa Taruhito a éveillé une véritable fascination pour le Pays du Soleil Levant. Cette rencontre a d’ailleurs inspiré la construction de la Tour japonaise dont nous sommes particulièrement fiers et que nous visiterons après-demain.
Par ailleurs, la visite du Prince héritier Hirohito en 1921 reste profondément ancrée dans notre mémoire collective. Il visitait la Ville de Leuven, en ruines, ainsi que la bibliothèque entièrement détruite. Profondément ému, il promettait d’aider dans sa reconstruction. Nous restons reconnaissants de son geste magnanime et irons honorer ce patrimoine demain. Son retour en Belgique un demi-siècle plus tard, cette fois sous son titre d’Empereur Shōwa, revêtait également un caractère historique, puisqu’il s’agissait de la toute première visite d'État d'un Empereur japonais sur notre territoire.
Votre Majesté, je garde un agréable souvenir de ces moments que nous avons partagés à Laeken, en compagnie de mon oncle, le Roi Baudouin, alors que nous étions encore très jeunes. Ce fut particulièrement touchant de redécouvrir aujourd’hui, ensemble, quelques clichés pris à l’époque par le Roi lui-même.
Je conserve également en mémoire nos séances de course à pied dans le somptueux parc impérial à Tokyo ou ici-même dans le parc de Laeken, à une époque où nous étions encore tous deux princes héritiers. Je vais vous faire une confidence ce soir : votre excellente condition physique m’a impressionné. Il m’était parfois difficile de suivre votre rythme.
En 2000, peu après notre mariage, la Reine Mathilde et moi avons eu le grand plaisir de visiter le Japon. Une fois de plus, nous avons pu mesurer la profondeur de l’amitié et la sincérité de l’estime que vous, l'Impératrice Masako, ainsi que toute votre famille nous témoignez avec une remarquable constance.
Puis-je vous demander, votre Majesté, de bien vouloir transmettre nos salutations, empreintes d’affection et du plus grand respect, à l'Empereur émérite Akihito et à l'Impératrice émérite Michiko ?"
Singer Salvatore Adamo who's equally popular in Japan.
It was an extremely hot day. Belgium has been undergoing a heatwave with temperatures up to 37°C.
hiero
Elisabeth was bestowed the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum.
Princess Eléonore was wearing a gown by Safiyaa.
🎥 @MonarchieBe pic.twitter.com/XiYn8hADrp
— ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) June 24, 2026
Wednesday 24 June 2026
The King and the Emperor visited the castle of Namur to discuss water management.
Then it was on to Leuven where they visit the IMEC installations. They also visited 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.
