Incoming State Visit #10: Portugal

Monday 16 October 2023

On the day of his arrival, the Portuguese President had dinner with King Philippe. The official welcome was only scheduled for the next day.

Afterwards Mr Rebelo de Sousa was meant to meet the Portuguese community, but a terror attack in Brussels, killing two Swedish nationals and wounding a third who were in the capital for the football game Belgium-Sweden, changed all plans. The President was escorted back to his hotel.

Tuesday 17 October 2023

Because of the raised terror alert, the welcome ceremony was reduced to a photo opportunity inside the Royal Palace.

🇧🇪🇵🇹 Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde welcome Portugese president Marcelo de Sousa.

Despite yesterday’s attack in Brussels and the increase of security threat level to the highest level, the Portugese State Visit to Belgium takes place - in a slimmed down version. pic.twitter.com/V87pZ8CX7y

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) October 17, 2023

video: https://www.hln.be/royalty/staatsbezoek-portugal-gaat-nog-door-in-koninklijk-paleis-van-brussel-maar-er-werden-enkele-aanpassingen-gemaakt~a8071d45/

In the course of the day, King Philippe had a telephone conversation with King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden to offer his condolences. King Philippe "expressed his support to the Swedish people, whose grief is shared by all Belgians."

In the evening there was a state banquet at the Castle of Laeken.

Mathilde looked beautiful in a new Costarellos gown ... Although Maxima was first in wearing it, a year ago.

Mathilde's lady-in-waiting was Clotilde Boël.

Before dinner a minute's silence was observed for the Swedish victims.

No tiara for Mathilde this evening, instead she wore the diamond bow brooch in her hair.

Wednesday 18 October 2023

Return event: a Portuguese fado concert at the the Palace for Fine Arts in Brussels.