Philippe & Gabriel witness the Ariane 5 Rocket Launch

11 April 2023

In the morning King Philippe and Prince Gabriel (19) left for Kourou, French Guiana from Melsbroek Airport.

They would witness the launch of the Ariane 5 rocket, that launched the JUICE satellite, which would in turn explore Jupiter. Belgium, a founding ESA member state, made a significant contribution to this space project.

This activity had been announced weeks ago by court, but it wasn't mentioned Gabriel would be joining his father. The Prince, who's a first year student at the Royal Military Academy, was on his Easter Holidays leave. 

This was his first international official activity.

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Départ du Roi Philippe et du prince Gabriel vers la Guyane pour le lancement d'un satellite dédié à l'exploration de Jupiter

Verrassing: koning Filip neemt zoon Gabriël mee naar Frans-Guyana voor lancering raket#BelgaVideo @JeromeFetu pic.twitter.com/sgFq5EJQlT

— BelgaVideo (@BelgaVideo) April 11, 2023

video: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2023/04/11/koning-filip-met-zoon-gabriel-naar-guyana-voor-lancering-van-sat/

#koningFilip neemt z'n oudste zoon #prinsGabriël mee op missie naar Frans Guyana, voor de lancering van ruimtesonde #ESAJuice. Het is Gabriëls 1e buitenlandse werktrip met zijn vader. In 2021 mocht hij ook mee de lucht in, met het nieuw militair transportvliegtuig A400M @vrtnws pic.twitter.com/Du9I8ds2uu

— pascale mertens (@pascale_mertens) April 11, 2023

Court also shared some images of Philippe in earlier years. From his childhood years, he's been fascinated by space exploration.

With uncle King Baudouin and father, Prince Albert at the National Sciences Museum in 1970, looking at a rock brought back from the Moon.

1970, Prince Philippe receives a mini replica of the moonlander from the US ambassador.

2002 and 2008, Crown Prince Philippe with Belgian astronauts Frank De Winne and Dirk Frimout.

Arrival at Cayenne, French Guiana.

Arrivée du Roi et du prince Gabriel à Cayenne pic.twitter.com/sVrArNnkND

— BelgaVideo (@BelgaVideo) April 11, 2023

12 April 2023

Father and son were given a tour of the European Space Center in Kourou.

A week earlier Philippe had broken 3 ribs while kite surfing on the Spanish coast. Now and then it was visible he was still having pain.

video: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnu/a-z/vrt-nws-journaal/2023/vrt-nws-journaal-vrt-nws-journaal-19u-20230412/?starttime=1245

They also met the Belgians who work at the Space Centre.

Later in the day King Philippe, followed by his son, also visited the third Foreign Infantry Regiment at the military barracks.

13 April 2023

ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission 'Juice' was planned to launch from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, but the launch was postponed because of a risk of lightning.

14 April 2023

A day later than initially planned the King and his son were able to witness the launch!

King Philippe was flanked by ESA director general Josef Aschbacher.

video: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2023/04/14/lukt-de-lancering-van-de-europese-ruimtesonde-juice-straks-wel/

In the evening the Belgian delegation left French Guiana, in time for King Philippe to be home to celebrate his 63rd birthday with the rest of his family.