Young Professionals: Military

19 June 2025

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde hosted a dinner at the castle of Laeken for young staff members of the Belgian military.

COMING UP Elisabeth Spends Time with Young Patients

On Wednesday 25 June 2025, while her parents will be out of the country on a state visit to Chile, Crown Princess Elisabeth (23)  will be welcoming a few young patients of the "Prinses Elisabeth Kinderziekenhuis" at the royal palace, the children's hospital of Ghent that she opened in 2011.

On the program are a tour through the palace, a music workshop (the harp!) and finally they'll have dinner together. 

As she was clearly taught by her parents, Elisabeth makes it a point to stay in touch with her patronage and its patients, behind the scenes or with press present. 

Flashback: GSK Awards

19 June 2013

Princess Mathilde attended the award ceremony of the GSK vaccines, an award given every three years to a French-speaking and a Flemish Belgian medical researcher.

Wedding: Hélène d'Udekem & Nicolas Janssen

11 June 2011

Mathilde's youngest sister, Countess Hélène d'Udekem d'Acoz (31) married Baron Nicolas Janssen (36) at the Eglise Saint-Pierre in Bastogne.

Hélène's mother, Countess Anne d'Udekem.

Baron Henri d'Udekem and his companion, Marie Madeleine Kervyn.

The groom's parents, Baron Daniel Janssen & his wife, née Thérèse Bracht.

Elisabeth d'Udekem and her son, Adalberto Pallavicini.

Prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde were accompanied by Queen Fabiola.

Hélène wore an antique diamond jewel in her hair. Her wedding dress was designed by Natan.

She was escorted by her younger brother, Count Charles-Henri d'Udekem. Their father had died 3 years earlier.

Princess Elisabeth (9) was a bridesmaid. Hélène is Elisabeth's godmother.

After the service.

King Philippe Answers

17 June 2025

For his 65th birthday King Philippe's children had launched a call to the general public to send in questions for their father, a kind of "Ask me anything" ... (here).

Today a new video was issued, with King Philippe indeed answering all sorts of questions. 

Philippe shared a few more of his paintings, inspired by David Hockney, in one of them we can see Mathilde reading. The other one is of the park of Laeken, the third one a colourful interpretation of the view at Ciergnon. 

Philippe also revealed he doesn't think of leaving yet. He wants to give Elisabeth as much time as possible to develop herself, learn and see the world. 

About the pets at Laeken: the family has two dogs who listen to no-one. They never come when they're called. It's Eléonore in particular who takes care of them. The family also has a turtle. 

Digital for Youth

16 June 2025

Queen Mathilde visited "Digital for Youth" in Kontich, an organisation that collects used digital devices from companies, upgrades them and distributes them to young people between the ages of 6 and 24. 

video: https://www.gva.be/atv/koningin-op-werkbezoek-in-kontich-hoeveel-computers-doet-u-per-dag/72120203.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_term=atv&utm_content=article&utm_campaign=seeding