Recap: Christmas Cards

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Royal Titbits #11

Mathilde's brother, Count Charles-Henri d'Udekem & his wife Caroline Philippe are expecting their second baby. This photo was taken a few months ago, so the baby may well have been born in the meantime. 

Mathilde's sister Hélène and brother-in-law Nicolas Janssen at the same event.

Hélène d'Udekem has also been promoting the new play she's in in Belgian media. She's given a few interviews to Paris Match Belgique, Le Soir and RTL. She also mentioned that together with playwright Geneviève Damas she's working on a piece about her grandmother, Princess Sophia Sapieha, a woman who's led an extraordinary life and whom Hélène remembers as an optimistic, vibrant personality.

Flashback: Centrum voor Begaafdheidsonderzoek

25 November 2003

Princess Mathilde visited the Centre for giftedness of Antwerp University.

Fashion Flashback: Elisabeth's Scarves

Voorleesweek 2025

21 November 2025

Like each year, Queen Mathilde took part in the Reading Out Loud Week. She visited the Permeke public library of Antwerp. This year's theme is "Keep reading to others, no matter their age", so an original focus on (young) adults.

Mathilde chose to read from "Het meisje en de rots" by Kristien In-'t-Ven, a book that deals with mental health.

video: https://www.gva.be/regio/antwerpen/regio-antwerpen/antwerpen/koningin-mathilde-trapt-voorleesweek-op-gang-in-bibliotheek-permeke/106701770.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawONb29leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFNd1hmbFYwS2h1QWJjVGVkc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHi4kh0zLzPLkEVb7tdMmNbTaTtpGhCwpbbDo7Roy7u96HanKnhakhbRXDmuX_aem_65W4PVf5Gj86ypm-C50KIQ

She met young readers between the ages of 15 and 26, who've been given their own space at the Permeke Kubus to read, meet, discuss and create. 

She told them: "a book can be such a tool to get talking about your emotions". 

Queen Mathilde, speaking to young people in a library in the city of Antwerp: “A book can be a helpful tool for expressing emotions and feelings. I think that’s very important. I don’t know what you think about it.” https://t.co/kSBtklEtY8 pic.twitter.com/QKXmreDcA1

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) November 21, 2025

🇧🇪 Belgian Queen Mathilde in Antwerp.

🤝 She reads a book to young people as part of Story Telling Week in Belgium. Afterwards, she takes time outside the library to greet children and royalty fans who have brought gifts.

💬 It’s freezy. “Your hands are cold.” https://t.co/kSBtklEtY8 pic.twitter.com/IxxxZX6SNS

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) November 21, 2025

  video: https://www.gva.be/atv/jongeren-onder-de-indruk-van-koningin-mathilde-zoveel-stijl-zon-warme-vibe/106872224.html