Voorleesweek 2015

25 November 2015

Queen Mathilde was meant to participate in the Read Aloud Week by reading to children in the public library of Laeken, Brussels. Because of the enhanced terror threat in Brussels the library cancelled the activity. Mathilde did however insist the children come to the Royal Palace to read them a story.

A small boy who got a little overwhelmed was immediately comforted by the queen.

video: http://www.brusselnieuws.be/nl/video/tvbrussel/voorleesweek-start-met-koningin-mathilde-verhalen-halen-ons-even-weg-van-realiteit

Round table on Burnout

25 November 2015

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde hosted a round table conference at the royal palace on burnout.

Changing Titles

24 November 2015

Court announced that in future the royal title "Prince of Belgium" or "Princess of Belgium" will only go to the children of the reigning King (or Queen) and to the children of the Crown Prince (or Crown Princess).

This means that Elisabeth, Gabriel, Emmanuel and Eléonore's children will all bear the title while their cousin's children no longer will.

While Elisabeth's grandchildren will also be Princes, Gabriel, Emmanuel and Eléonore will pass the title to their children but not to their grandchildren.

Book: Albert II

In 2012 photographer Olivier Polet published a  photo book on the royal family, called "Albert II".

In a number of photos, taken at the castle of Ciergnon, Mathilde and family are also pictured.

Visit to Hainaut

19 November 2015

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde visited the province Hainaut.

At the Institut Technique Libre of Ath they were briefed on the formation of teachers.

They were accompanied by Melissa Maas.

video: http://www.notele.be/list13-le-jt-a-la-carte-media39274-visite-royale-a-l-institut-technique-libre.html

In Tournai they visited the company Pollet that celebrates its 250th anniversary.

video: http://www.notele.be/list13-le-jt-a-la-carte-media39273-visite-royale-a-l-entreprise-pollet-et-a-l-hotel-de-ville.html

Afterwards they were received at the town hall.

Earlier this week: Christening of Prince Philipp

14 November 2015

Just back from Ethiopia, Queen Mathilde accompanied her husband to Germany last Sunday for the christening of Prince Philipp von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha at Schloss Callenberg in Beiersdorf.

King Philippe is godfather to his namesake, the second child and first son of Prince Hubertus von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha and his wife, American Kelly Rondestvedt.

There were about 100 guests, among them Prince Gustav von Berleburg and his girlfriend Carina Axelsson and Prince Bernhard von Baden and his wife, Princess Stephanie von Baden.

 Prince Philipp von Sachsen-Coburg and Gotha with his parents and godparents: Hereditary Prince Bernhard of Baden, Countess Alexandra von Schönborn, King Philippe, Carina Axelsson and Hereditary Prince Carl Christian von Wrede.

Solvay Award + New Nobles 2015

18 November 2015

Queen Mathilde handed out Solvay's Chemistry for the Future Prize at the Palais des Académies in Brussels.

The same day, King Philippe & Queen Mathilde also met the persons who were granted a noble title or distinction in 2015 at the Royal Palace in Brussels.