Paola's 80th Birthday Celebration

29 June 2017

Even though her birthday is on 11 September, Queen Paola's 80th birthday was officially celebrated today, at the Reine Elisabeth Music Chapel in Argenteuil with a concert followed by a reception.

All of Paola's children and grandchildren were present, with the exception of Princess Laura, one of Princess Astrid's daughters.

Clotilde Boël was present as Mathilde's lady-in-waiting.

Crown Princess Elisabeth was wearing a pretty Maje dress that has also been seen on Pippa Middleton.

Among the guests: Edouard Vermeulen.

On footage there seemed to be no interaction between Philippe's children and their cousins, whilst Astrid & Laurent's children did interact. Significant of the irritations/jealousies of the past years?

Emmanuel has joined his older sister & brother in wearing braces.

Earlier This Week: Zara Home

24 June 2017

Last Saturday, Queen Mathilde was spotted shopping at Zara Home, Avenue Louise in Brussels.

She was on her own, discreetly but closely followed by a bodyguard.

video: http://soirmag.lesoir.be/101495/article/2017-06-26/la-reine-mathilde-fait-les-soldes-chez-zara-video

David Beasley

28 June 2017

Queen Mathilde had a meeting at the castle of Laeken with David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme.

They talked about the SDGs and eradicating famine.

Belgian Mayors

27 June 2017

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde hosted a reception at Laeken castle for the current Belgian mayors. About 500 of them accepted the invitation.

Princess Astrid and her husband Lorenz also attended the reception.

Henry Kissinger

21 June 2017

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde received 94 year old former US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger at the castle of Laeken, in connection to an Asia Society event.

Child Focus: Study Day

21 June 2017

Queen Mathilde attended a study day by Child Focus in Brussels. The theme was children who run away from home.

King Baudouin Prize 2017

20 June 2017

King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and Princess Astrid were present at the royal palace for the award ceremony of the King Baudouin Prize for African Development.

On the third row: Mathilde's former advisor, Anick Van Calster who now works for foreign affairs.

Prior to the award ceremony, the King & Queen granted an audience to the laureates: BarefootLaw from Uganda, Farmerline from Ghana and Kytabu from Kenya.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier + Federal Award for Fighting Poverty 2017

16 June 2017

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde hosted a lunch for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier & his wife, Elke Büdenbender at the castle of Laeken.

Queen Mathilde was also present at the award ceremony of the Federal Award for Fighting Poverty at CeMÔME in Saint-Gilles, Brussels.

This year the award focused on single parents and on the professional reintegration of long-term unemployed persons.