Oxford it is!

31 August 2021

Court has announced that Crown Princess Elisabeth (19) has been admitted to Oxford University's Lincoln College, for a 3 year formation in History and Politics.

Lincoln is one of the smaller colleges with a few hundred students. Famous alumni include John Le Carré, Emily Mortimer and Rishi Sunak. 

They stipulated the Duchess of Brabant won't disappear for 3 years from public life, she will return to Belgium now and then to take part in activities. 

New photo by Bas Bogaerts

Press had already hinted at the fact that Elisabeth would be going to Britain to integrate "a prestigious institution", and they hardly come more prestigious than Oxford ... The choice for political studies is certainly a good one for a future head of state, and history was Elisabeth's favourite subject in secondary school. 

Family: Henri d'Udekem Has Died

30 August 2021

Earlier this week Mathilde's uncle, Count Henri d'Udekem d'Acoz died at the age of 87.

Henri (1933-2021) was the eldest of Mathilde's father's brothers. He lived at castle Couthof in Proven, the small town where he was mayor from 1960 until 1976. Later he was also elected mayor of Poperinge, from 1982 until 1983 and from 1995 until 2005.

Crown Prince Philippe & Mathilde d'Udekem during a joyeuse entrée in Poperinge in 1999. Mayor Henri d'Udekem in the background. 

Henri d'Udekem had no children. In 2004 he married Marie-Madeleine Kervyn d'Oud Mooreghem.

As one of the only members of Mathilde's family eager to talk to the press, the not so serious Flemish press mocked him and started calling him "nonkel Henri".

Castle Couthof

Relations between Mathilde's father Patrick and his two brothers, Henri and Raoul were very troubled. The two brothers thought Patrick had received an unfair amount of their mother's inheritance, and didn't hesitate to take their grudge out via the press and court cases. When Patrick d'Udekem died from the consequences of a stroke in 2008 they showed regret about the ongoing feud and about not having made up for lost times.

In the last years of his life Henri made headlines for being convicted (and later also acquitted) for fraud.  

Patronage: Year of Microcredit 2005

Princess Mathilde travelled to New York to promote the United Nations' Year of the Microcredit 2005. Just like Queen Rania of Jordan, Mathilde had accepted to become an Emissary for the UN's Year of Microcredit 2005. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, appointed as Advisor for the Year of Microcredit 2005, was also in NY. 

17 November 2004

Gala for the launch of the International Year of the Microcredit.

18 November 2004

At the United Nations.

Lunch at the Belgium Mission Residence in New York.

Flashback: Marie-Astrid's Birthday Party

3 July 2004

The 50th birthday party for Philippe's cousin, Princess Marie-Astrid of Luxembourg on the Côte d'Azur in Cabasson, France.

Princess Marie-Astrid of Luxembourg & Archduke Carl Christian of Habsburg-Lothringen with Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg. 

Princess Sarvath al-Hassan of Jordan.

Marie-Astrid's sister, Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg & Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein.

Princess Margriet of the Netherlands & Pieter van Vollenhoven, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander & Princess Maxima of the Netherlands.

Archduchess Marie-Christine of Habsburg-Lothringen and Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg.

Crown Prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde of Belgium.

Prince Gabriel Moves to England

20 August 2021

On his 18th birthday, Court announced that Prince Gabriel will be moving to England. 

The Prince will be studying at the National Mathematics and Science College in Coventry, Warwickshire.

This fee payed public school prepares students to enter one of Britain's prestigious universities, it is "An independent sixth form college specialising in A level STEM subjects. For students aged 15 -19, aiming to study at the world’s leading universities."

Gabriel passed the entrance exams and showed "a keen interest and passion for sciences".

Gabriel Turns 18!

20 August 2021

On his 18th birthday, Court shares some flashbacks from Prince Gabriel's life.

Most of them are public moments, but there are also a few private ones: Gabriel as a scout, sailing and playing the piano.

And there are new official photos as well!