Entourage: The Queen's Secretariat

Queen Mathilde has two members of staff who work exclusively for her. 

The first is her secretary, Machteld Fostier (°1958), a former diplomat.

Ms Fostier has been Mathilde's most devoted collaborator, ever since she became a royal princess in 1999. From 1999 to 2006 and from 2008 to 2013 she was Mathilde's advisor. When Mathilde became queen in 2013, Machteld stayed in place, from then on with the titel of secretary.

Wherever Mathilde goes, Mrs Fostier goes. Just like the queen, she's a very loyal and dedicated worker, a perfectionist. She advises Mathilde, plans her visits and activities and goes along with her. 

Over the years the two women seem to have become personal friends. When King Philippe was running the 20 kilometers through Brussels, Machteld came along with Mathilde and the children to cheer him on. She's also known to have selected children's clothing for the princes and princesses when Mathilde was too busy with work.

During a two year break, from 2006 to 2008, Machteld Fostier didn't work for Mathilde, instead acting as head of mission in Washington. Mathilde's advisor during those years was Anick Van Calster, nowadays the Director General for Bilateral Affairs at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Anick van Calster

From 2018 to 2022, Mathilde's secretary had an assistant: diplomat Bénédicte Frankinet.

Mrs. Frankinet was ambassador to Zimbabwe from 1999 to 2003, to Israel from 2008 to 2012, and later acted as Belgian ambassador in Washington. Earlier on she also worked at the Belgian embassy in Paris and in Brazil.

Bénédicte Frankinet was a Special Envoy for Belgium's successful campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council when she served as Permanent Representative to the UN.

Mrs Frankinet was born in 1951, she is married and has two children. In 2017 she received the title of baroness.

Mrs Frankinet took up this function in October 2018, taking over from Baron Johan Swinnen.

In December 2022 Baroness Frankinet ended her special mission. Her job has now been filled in by former ambassador Jean-Louis Six. 

Mr Six has had a long career. Apart from representing Belgium at the UN in Geneva, and as an ambassador in Luxembourg, he's been chef de cabinet for various Belgian politicians. He's also been economic advisor at the Belgian embassy in Paris and to King Baudouin, King Albert II and Crown Prince Philippe.

Jean-Louis Six has been active as vice chairman of the Fondation Roi Baudouin, as a board member of the National Bank of Belgium and the Fonds BELVue. 

Mr Six, 67, is married to Abigail Lee Six. Together they have a passion for horses, having spent the last two years exploiting a horse farm in the French Pyrenees. They have two sons and like walking the Compostella trail, just like Mathilde.