New Portrait

Private: Secret Birthday Party

23 April 2010

Philippe and Mathilde hosted a very private birthday party for Philippe's 50th birthday.

Among the 220 guests were many royal friends. The majority of the guests stayed at the Plaza Hotel in Brussels. From there a bus picked them up for the gala dinner and dance at the Laeken greenhouses.

Earlier in the day the royals had visited the Magritte Museum together - without Maxima who preferred to go shopping at Natan.

A few blurry shots were leaked to the press.

The next day, Philippe & Mathilde joined their guests for a brunch at the Plaza.

UNICEF visit to Laos

As honorary chair of UNICEF Belgium and as SDG advocate for the United Nations, Queen Mathilde made a five day journey to Laos. The visit was centered around female empowerment, quality education, the physical and mental health of children and the survival of malnourished children.

Sunday 19 February 2017

Queen Mathilde left for a 21 hour journey on 3 different flights.

Monday 20 February 2017

Arrival in Vientiane, Laos. Queen Mathilde was greeted at the airport by the Belgian ambassador to Laos & Thailand, Philippe Kridelka.

Mr Kridelka is no stranger to the queen since he used to be one of King Philippe's advisors. Before that, he was a UNESCO representative at the UN.

Meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Khamphao Eunthavanh and with the President of the Lao Women’s Union, Ms Inlavanh Keobounphanh. 

The Queen received a handmade silk scarf as a gift.

Meeting with the President and various ministers.

La reine Mathilde au Laos avec @UNICEFBELGIQUE @ruesept pic.twitter.com/2BOpahfypb

— Point de Vue (@PointDeVueMag) February 20, 2017

Tuesday 21 February 2017

On her second day in Laos, Queen Mathilde visited various Unicef projects.

Visit to Sanon Village  and the Saravan program for nutrition.

The Lao Women's Union at Tha Mueang providing parenting education.

Visiting a youth media project: radio and social media provided by the young generation, who were allowed to interview Mathilde.

During the day, Mathilde had spilled coffee on her top ... She tried to cover it up with a scarf.

After these visits, Queen Mathilde changed for an official dinner.

Wednesday 22 February 2017

Visiting a kindergarten in Doub, and their 'WASH' program to teach the children to prevent diseases by regularly washing their hands.

Screening of malnutrition at the health centre of Tahouak.

Visit to a school kindergarten & primary school. In the poor Saravan region only 28 % of the 3 to 5 year olds attend school.

Afterwards Mathilde gave interviews.

On missions like these we have the impression you would like to help out, step in and nurse the children or teach them yourself. Is that correct?

Mathilde: I can't help it, I'm a speech therapist... I enjoy taking care of children. It's a part of me, it always has been! Yes, it's true... I'd love to stay longer.

Do you sometimes feel powerless?

Mathilde: I do as much as I can. And one of the things I can do is to talk to policy makers about the importance of investing in education and health care. I try to do this to the best of my abilities.

Your own children live in a different world: they get good schooling and have excellent nutrition. How aware are they of this situation?

Mathilde: After each mission I try to discuss these things with my children. We want our children to be aware of what's going on in the world. Of what happens in countries like Laos. My children also volunteer. I think it's important for them to see how some other children live.

Would you like for the Crown Princess to follow in your footsteps?

Mathilde: That would be her dream, I think! But she has to go to school. It would also be my own dream to do something similar with my children, not just Elisabeth - all four of them. But for now they have to set the example and go to school.

Thursday 24 February 2017

Visit to the Wat-Phu Temple in Paksé.

Mathilde's convoy included 15 cars. When they passed the scene of a road accident that had apparently just happened, Mathilde asked her driver to stop. Her delegation included two doctors working for UNICEF, the United Nations' Children's Fund.

Mathilde left the car, called the doctors and checked how the victims were. The victims had only sustained light injuries. The convoy continued, but the doctors stayed on site to supply further assistance.

A meeting with local UNICEF staff and volunteers concluded the mission.