International Women's Day 2025

6 March 2025

For International Women's Day, King Philippe & Queen Mathilde had a group of Belgian women over for lunch at Laeken Castle.

Their guests were:

Radio presenter Katelijne Boon.
Diane Govaerts, CEO of transport company Ziegler.
Dr. Elvira Haezendock, Professor of Economics at VUB university.
Els Hertogen, Director of 11.11.11
Dominique Monami, Vice chairwoman of the Belgian Olympic Committee.
Trees Paelinck, Chairwoman of the board of Fairtrade Belgium.
Raymonde Yerna, President of Le Forem.
Fabienne Bayard, Chairwoman of the College of Courts and Tribunals.

Ajay Banga + Young Professionals: GPs

5 March 2025

Queen Mathilde had a meeting with Ajay Banga, chairman of the World Bank, at the royal palace in Brussels.

They discussed the integration of the SDGs in the World Bank's projects that are focused on quality education, health care and the empowerment of women and girls.

In the evening King Philippe & Queen Mathilde hosted a dinner for young GPs at their home of Laeken Castle.

Week van de Vrijwilliger

4 March 2025

For Volunteer Week, King Philippe & Queen Mathilde visited Mechelen, the town that's Europe's Volunteer Capital 2025.

After a reception at the city hall, the Royal Couple visited two associations that work with volunteers.

At "De Lage Drempel" people who live in precarious situations receive support and get to meet others. 

At "Circolito" Philippe & Mathilde met children who learn circus acts. 

video: https://www.rtv.be/actualiteit-en-nieuws/koningspaar-bezoekt-mechelen-tijdens-week-van-de-vrijwilliger

Flashback: Holidays

1999, La Havana (Cuba)

Summer of 2001, France

August 2002, Galicia (Spain) 

With Princess Maria de Bourbon & husband Archduke Simeon of Habsburg and Princess Victoria de Bourbon & husband Markos Nomikos.

Summer of 2002, Cabasson (France)

Philippe, Mathilde and baby Elisabeth (9 months) were staying at the holiday home of the Luxembourg royals, in their company.

 

Spring 2003, Châteauneuf de Grasse (France)

Late summer of 2003, Bormes-les-Mimosas (France)

Spring of 2005, Switzerland

Summer of 2005, Châteauneuf-de-Grasse (France)

Summer of 2005, Portugal

January 2006, Portofino (Italy)

With Archduchess Sophie von Habsburg & her husband, Hugo von Windisch-Graetz.

Early 2006, Verbier (Switzerland)

Easter 2006, Cáceres and Mérida (Spain)

With Prince Konstantin & Princess Maria of Bulgaria, they were guests of María Oriol.

2007

Summer of 2008, Taranto (Italy)

Late October - Early November 2008, El Gouna & Luxor (Egypt)

Philippe, Mathile and their 4 children were accompanied by Mathilde's mother Anne d'Udekem who had recently been widowed. They were guests on the yacht of a wealthy Egyptian family.

The same week a bus with Belgian tourists had an accident in Egypt, causing the death of 6 persons. On 31 October 2008 Philippe & Mathilde visited the hospital where wounded passengers were being treated.

March 2009, Verbier (Switzerland)

 

August 2010, Ile d'Yeu (France)

April 2011, Extremadura (Spain) 

With Prince Guillaume & Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg and their 4 children: Paul, twins Charlotte and Léopold, and Jean.

December 2011, Oman

A Belgian spotted the crown princely family in Oman on 31 December 2011.

February 2012, Verbier (Switzerland)

Summer of 2012, Ile d'Yeu (France)

Early 2013, Verbier (Switzerland)

Summer of 2013, Ile d'Yeu (France)

Summer of 2014, Vézelay, France

Late summer of 2014, India

With Prince Guillaume & Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg and their 4 children: Paul, twins Charlotte and Léopold, and Jean.