POSTPONED State Visit to Italy

The state visit to Italy has been postponed a second time due to the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic. King Philippe will make a one day visit to outgoing President Mattarella. The actual state visit will take place at a later date. 

1-3 December 2021

King Philippe & queen Mathilde will be paying a state visit to Italy, responding to the invitation of president Sergio Mattarella.

King Philippe is half Italian through his mother Paola, born as princess Ruffo di Calabria. Both Philippe & Mathilde are fluent in Italian.

A state visit to Chile was planned for the second half of 2020. Is this still on the agenda?

Private: Pepermolen

21 November 2021

Earlier this week Queen Mathilde made a private visit to restaurant De Pepermolen in Bruges.

The restaurant owners weren't allowed to take a picture. 

Flashback: Royal Warrant Holders 2014

24 November 2014

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde hosted a reception at the Royal Palace for the newly appointed Royal Warrant Holders.

Among them were interior decorator Axel Vervoordt, la Boucherie Saint Hubert de Laeken, Mauquoy Medal Company, Steylemans electronics and game meats W&H.

Flashback: Trade Visit to India

Crown Prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde made a seven-day official visit to India during which they visited the cities of Bangalore and Bombay in addition to India's capital New Dehli.

15 March 2005

Boarding a metro in New Dehli.

Signing ceremony between the Archaeological Survey of India and Janssen Pharmaceutical in New Delhi.

Luncheon with Indian Congress Party Senior Leader Oscar Fernandes.

17 March 2005

Visit to a school for the deaf and mute children in Bombay.

18 March 2005

Bombay

Flashback: Symposium for Family Assistants

22 November 2012

Princess Mathilde of Belgium at the European Symposium for Family Assistants, organised by the city of Brussels.

Flashback: Juncker

21 November 2014

Jean-Claude Juncker, chairman of the European Commission, had a meeting with King Philippe & Queen Mathilde at the Castle of Laeken.

Flashback: Shanti! Shanti! + International Day for Children's Rights

20 November 2013

Queen Mathilde visited "Shanti! Shanti!", a children's choir from Brussels who gave a performance at the Children's Psychiatry Unit of  the UZ Brussel hospital. 

Before leaving, Mathilde received a copy of "Birth Day" a new photo book by Lieve Blancquaert.

The same day Mathilde gave a speech for Unicef on the right for all children to get an education.

Voorleesweek 2021

19 November 2021

Queen Mathilde participated in the Voorleesweek (Reading Out Loud Week) by reading to the elderly residents of care home Sint-Franciscus in Vinkt. 

Mathilde is the protector of Voorleesweek and she also wished to inspire others to volunteer in care homes. 

She read a story from a collection of folkloric tales about giants, "De Wolkeneters" by Kristien Dieltiens.

Afterwards there was time for a chat with the residents and a professional talk with organizers Iedereen Leest.

Spa

18 November 2021

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde visited Spadel, the producer of mineral water brand "Spa".

Afterwards they presided a work meeting on sustainable water management, the maintenance of natural sources and biodiversity. This took place at the Domaine de Bérinzenne. 

video: https://www.vedia.be/www/video/info/evenements/spa-anniversaire-royal-pour-spa-monopole_106844.html