Incoming State Visit #5: Australia

From 27 to 30 June 2018, the governor general of Australia, Sir Peter John Cosgrove and his wife paid an official state visit to Belgium.

Wednesday 27 June 2018

Welcome ceremony at the Place des Palais in Brussels.

Baroness Patricia Vlerick acted as lady-in-waiting.

Gala dinner at the castle of Laeken.

"Dames en Heren, mag ik u vragen het glas te heffen op de gezondheid van Hare Majesteit Koningin Elizabeth en van de Gouverneur-Generaal en Lady Cosgrove."

Friday 29 June 2018

In the evening the royal couple, the governor general and lady Cosgrove attended the WWI commemorative event "Waterfront" in Ostend.

Exactly 100 years ago, the Belgian coast was victim of a heavy bombardment when British forces tried to block the occupied harbours of Ostend and Zeebruges.

6000 volunteers made a human chain of 21 kilometers in the North Sea to remember the tragic last fights of the First World War. They each wrote a personal message of peace on a small boat.

The event was broadcast live on Belgian TV.

What an incredible sight, thousands of people with coloured boats and a message of hope, paying tribute to all WW1 victims at sea. The King wrote, 'Forever grateful', indeed we are. https://t.co/a8NWrGB4zy #waterfront pic.twitter.com/4nawb7hrIN

— Christophe Onraet (@chrisonraet) June 30, 2018

video: https://www.focus-wtv.be/nieuws/indrukwekkende-bootjeslijn-vormt-waterfront

Afterwards Philippe & Mathilde accompanied Sir & Lady Cosgrove on a visit to Bruges.

Net gekke politieescorte gezien. Blijkbaar zijn de Koning en Koningin in Brugge, Bracke was er ook en iemand van Australië.

— Myra (@myradgr) 29 juni 2018