2025: The Year That Was

2025 has been a relatively quiet year, where Queen Mathilde seems to have had a lesser amount of public activities than the previous years that were, let's face it, chock-full.

For me, the most exciting news was Crown Princess Elisabeth's love life.

In the autumn it became clear Elisabeth (24) is or has been going out with Prince Georg of Liechtenstein (26). The Belgian court's spokesperson didn't want to deny it, but wouldn't confirm it either. In Liechtenstein general panic broke out. With the cooperation of the Belgian press and a charm offensive from Belgian Court, attention was quickly diverted again.

Another charmer was this 'Ask me anything' from King Philippe. Long may the communications department of the Belgian royals follow the route they've been travelling. They're doing a great job.

This year Mathilde visited fourteen foreign countries. 

1. Switzerland for the annual meeting at Davos.

Later in the year, King Philippe & Queen Mathilde were back for the Informal Summit of German speaking countries.

2. Poland to attend the remembrance of the liberation of Auschwitz.

3. Costa Rica: A UNICEF visit in February.

4: Vietnam: State Visit in March.

5. Spain: Philippe's 65th birthday was celebrated in good company on the Compostela trail.

6. Vatican: Three visits no less! Philippe & Mathilde showed themselves once again to be loyal catholics and true diplomats when they attended the funeral of Pope Francis (April), the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV (May) and when they made an official visit to the new pope a few months later (October).

7. France: Holidays and weekends were spent on the isle Yeu where Philippe & Mathilde have a holiday home.

8. Czech Republic: For the wedding of Countess Maria de la Gloria Czernin von Chudenitz & Marquis Laszlo de Cossé-Brissac, a private affair. The only wedding where we got to see them this year.

9. Chile: State visit in June.

10. USA: After going to see her daughter in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Mathilde attended the UN's General Assembly in New York.

11. Austria: A working visit to Vienna.

12. Luxembourg: the enthronement of Grand Duke Guillaume in October.

13. Italy: A private weekend with friends in Portofino and a peace conference in Rome.

14. Armenia: SDG visit in October.

A usual highlight in royal watching are the state visits. Philippe & Mathilde visited Vietnam and Chile ...

... and they received the presidents of Singapore and Italy in Brussels.

They also received King Felipe & Queen Letizia when the Spanish royal couple opened Europalia España in Brussels. 

And they welcomed the new Grand Duke & Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.

These were the gala moments where we got to see Queen Mathilde shine.

This one was worn twice.

Fifteen hats made a lovely appearance in 2025.

This one was worn twice.

On three occasions a tiara was worn.

Two smaller pieces of jewellery were added to Mathilde's collection this year: a delicate brooch and sapphire pendant earrings.

We got to see Princess Elisabeth in gala twice. She put on her tiara once in Luxembourg ...

... and she wore a hat during the National Day. 

And that's it for 2025!
Now what has the new year got in store for us?

Trade visits to Turkey and Saudi Arabia, led by Queen Mathilde (and/or Princess Elisabeth).At the end of the year a little bomb was dropped when Princess Astrid announced stepping back from leading trade missions, a big chunk of work that Queen Mathilde will have to take care of in 2026 until Elisabeth is ready to take over, probably by 2027 at the latest.

A state visit to Norway. King Philippe and King Harald are cousins once removed, as Princess Astrid of Sweden (Philippe's grandmother) and Princess Märtha of Sweden (Harald's mother) were sisters.

16 April 2026: Princess Eléonore turns 18.

30 April 2026: King Carl Gustav of Sweden celebrates his 80th birthday. May we expect a lavish gala once more?

Three graduations!
Princess Elisabeth will be finishing her master's degree in Public Policy at Harvard.
Prince Gabriel will be finishing his master's degree in Social and Military Sciences at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels.
Princess Eléonore will be obtaining her international baccalaureate at the International School of Brussels.

What are you looking forward to?