Twenty years after Julie & Mélissa

24 June 2015

Today it is 20 years ago since 8-year old Julie Lejeune & Mélissa Russo were kidnapped. They were sexually abused and died in the most horrible of circumstances.

As honorary chairwoman of Child Focus, Queen Mathilde sent out this message:

"Il y a vingt ans, une onde de choc traversait notre pays. A l'époque, en tant que jeune femme, j'ai été particulièrement touchée par le sort de ces jeunes filles enlevées et assassinées. Les appels au secours des parents ont conduit à une solidarité inédite auparavant avec les familles.

Je me réjouis que, dans une phase ultérieure, des mesures aient été adoptées pour venir en aide aux victimes. Mais nous devons rester attentifs. Une bonne collaboration entre les autorités et les citoyens est nécessaire pour gagner le combat contre les disparitions et l'exploitation d'enfants et de jeunes.

On mesure la valeur d'une civilisation au degré de soin et de protection qu'elle offre à ses enfants. Soyons tous en alerte, car aujourd'hui encore des enfants sont régulièrement signalés comme disparus ou perdus. Nous ne pouvons pas rester impassibles."

Mathilde de Belgique

State Visit #1: China

Saturday 20 June 2015

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde left for China, their very first state visit as King & Queen of the Belgians.

Mathilde was accompanied by lady-in-waiting Laurence de Ghellinck, a hairdresser, a chamber maid (une habilleuse), a GP and various members of the royal household.

During the flight, Philippe & Mathilde talked to the press.

Arrival in Wuhan, China.

Sunday 21 June 2015

In Wuhan, the Belgian delegation visited an info center on the region and watched a traditional opera.

Monday 22 June 2015

While King Philippe accompanied CEOs and politicians, Queen Mathilde visited a school in Wuhan.

Next was a visit to "Daybreak", an exhibition of the work of young Belgian, British, Dutch and Chinese artists at the Hubei Museum of Art.

At night Mathilde was reunited with her husband for a formal banquet, a meeting with the authorities, the signing of contracts and the "Han Show", the new Cirque du Soleil show of Italo-Belgian Franco Dragone.

 

At the end of this busy day, the royals and their delegation flew to Beijing where they arrived at 01:00.

Tuesday 23 June 2015

A walk on the Chinese wall in Beijing.

Official welcome ceremony with President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan.

An official dinner with the President followed.

Wednesday 24 June 2015

Queen Mathilde had lunch with a selection of Chinese leading ladies at the Beijing Temple Hotel that's run by Belgian Juan Van Wassenhove.

Mathilde was joined by Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan for a visit to the Qijin School for deaf children.

Next up was a visit to UCCA, the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art of  Belgian baron Guy & baroness Mimi Ullens de Schooten.

Mathilde had changed into a dress by "Maison Ullens", one of Mimi Ullens's projects. It's a collection of clothing that doesn't crease, making it easier for business women who travel to spend less time on their wardrobe.

At night, the King and Queen were reunited for a reception, and had dinner with the Chinese President & First Lady.

Thursday 25 June 2015 

Philippe & Mathilde left Beijing for Shanghai.

After the official welcome, the King & Queen had lunch with the local authorities.

Queen Mathilde & King Philippe posed for photographers in front of the Shanghai skyline.

Queen Mathilde went on to visit a hospital where Belgian 3D technology is used for surgery.

At night Mathilde was present at a reception to promote Belgian cuisine.

Friday 26 June 2015

Official welcome luncheon in Suzhou.

Mathilde visited a school for children with special needs.

The delegation then flew to Shenzhen ...

... where the King & Queen assisted at an official banquet hosted by the local authorities.

Saturday 27 June 2015

Queen Mathilde started the day with a breakfast meeting with young business women at Shenzhen University.  

And a final reception closed King Philippe & Queen Mathilde's very first state visit.

King Philippe had been accompanied by Count Christian de Lannoy - an older brother of Princess Stéphanie of Luxembourg. As an experienced diplomat, he was one of the Belgian consuls in China. His wife, Luisa Moreno accompanied Mathilde during her meeting with business women in the morning.