State Visit #14: Germany

From 5 to 7 December 2023, King Philippe & Queen Mathilde are making a state visit to Germany.
The Royal Couple will be visiting Berlin and Dresden.

Tuesday 5 December 2023

9:30 Departure at Melsbroek Airport.

11:15 Arrival at Berlin Brandenburg airport where they were awaited by Belgian ambassador Geert Muylle.

The Royal Couple and their delegation are staying at the Adlon Kempinski Hotel, Unter den Linden.

13:30 Welcome Ceremony by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, followed by a tête à tête between both couples.

🇩🇪🇧🇪 STATE VISIT BELGIAN KING PHILIPPE AND QUEEN MATHILDE TO GERMANY

🤝 Day 1, Berlin: welcome ceremony by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender

📍 Bellevue Palace, official residence of the Federal President pic.twitter.com/mfPfCspQIs

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) December 5, 2023

Just like it was the case during their previous meetings, it's clear Mathilde & Mrs Büdenbender are on excellent terms, maybe even friends.

A very thoughtful present for King Philippe: a beautiful set of Schmincke watercolours.

14:20 Separate meeting for Queen Mathilde & Mrs Büdenbender.

15:05 Brandenburger Tor with Kai Wegner, mayor of Berlin.

At the Berlin city hall.

16:05 Wreath Laying at Neue Wache.

19:30 State Banquet at Schloss Bellevue.

🇩🇪🇧🇪 STATE VISIT BELGIAN KING PHILIPPE AND QUEEN MATHILDE TO GERMANY

🍽️ Day 1, Berlin: President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender organize a state banquet in honor of Philippe and Mathilde.

📍 Bellevue Palace, official residence of the Federal President pic.twitter.com/YIzztqGw9M

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) December 5, 2023

It looks like the Queen & the First Lady planned an outfit coordination!

🇩🇪🇧🇪 STATE VISIT BELGIAN KING PHILIPPE AND QUEEN MATHILDE TO GERMANY

🍽️ Day 1, Berlin: President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender organize a state banquet in honor of Philippe and Mathilde.

📍 Bellevue Palace, official residence of the Federal President pic.twitter.com/lIyV5FVOtR

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) December 5, 2023

 

Guests at the banquet: Hereditary Prince Hubertus & Princess Kelly von Saksen-Coburg. King Philippe is godfather to their son Philippe.

🇩🇪🇧🇪 At state banquet: Hubertus, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and his wife Kelly. Belgian King Philippe is godfather of their son Philipp, 8. One day Hubertus will become head of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, from which the Belgian royal family descends. pic.twitter.com/3qt5jOSQjq

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) December 5, 2023

Wednesday 6 December 2023

8:45 Meeting with Belgian & German CEOs, Kempinski Hotel.

9:05 Opening of Belgian-German Economic Forum on Sustainable Energy and Decarbonization, Kempinski Hotel.

10:15 Visit to the German Aerospace Center.

With Belgian astronaut Raphaël Liégois.

12:45 Mathilde & Elke Büdenbender have lunch at the 50Hertz HQ.

14:50 Visit to the 50Hertz Tunnel, a project by Belgian Elia Group.

15:20 Visit to S27 – Kunst und Bildung.

18:55 Belgian concert with pianist Ammiel Bushakevitz & singer Sophie Junker at Funkhaus Berlin, followed by a reception.

With ambassador Geert Muylle.

🇩🇪🇧🇪 STATE VISIT BELGIAN KING PHILIPPE AND QUEEN MATHILDE TO GERMANY

🎼 King Philippe and Queen Mathilde invite German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender to a concert to thank them for their invitation to this State Visit.

📍 Funkhaus Berlin pic.twitter.com/m6uGNZD1HL

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) December 6, 2023

At the reception, we see among the guests: Prince Albert-Henri de Merode & his wife, Countess Marie-Christine von Soden-Fraunhofen. Behind them: Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia & his wife, Princess Sophie von Isenburg and Princess Sophie of Bavaria.

Thursday 7 December 2023 

10:35 Visit to X-Fab in Dresden by the Royal and Presidential couple, accompanied Michael Kretschmer, Minister-President of Saxony and his spouse, Mrs. Annett Hofmann.

X-Fab is a Belgian-German cooperation the produces semiconductors.

12:00 Lunch at Blockhaus

13:30 Photo opp on the Augustus Bridge in Dresden.

 

14:00 Guided visit to Gemäldegalerie Dresden, who are in close collaboration with KMSKA Antwerp when it comes to research on their Rubens paintings.

14:50 A break at the Hilton Hotel Dresden.

15:45 Visit of the Frauenkirche and the Christmas Market.

Filip en Mathilde in Dresden: Bezoek aan Rubenscollectie en proeven van een stukje kerststol https://t.co/DJxfCB3buH

— Queen Mathilde Blog (@BlogMathilde) December 7, 2023

17:10 Informal meeting with the Belgian press.

18:30 Flight back to Brussels.