New Photo of the Royal Children

Christmas Card 2018

A second photo was spread as well.

Docu: "Over Eten"

On 19 December 2018 an episode of "Over Eten", a popular TV show on all things health & nutrition, was dedicated to a royal topic.

Presentor Kobe Ilsen got to meet Queen Mathilde at the French state visit that took place earlier this week when he reported about food and protocol at a state banquet.

According to Ilsen: "The Queen approached me spontaneously and started chatting. From what her entourage told me she knows our show very well and watches every week. Was she briefed beforehand or is she a true fan of the show? Who knows ..." He also added that Court mostly works with Belgian produce for official occasions and that King Philippe doesn't eat gluten.

It took VRT three years to be able to make this show.

As well as this state visit, it was the chef de personnel, Norbert Van Loon's last job at the palace since he's leaving on retirement. 

Christmas Concert 2018

19 December 2018

King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and their children, Crown Princess Elisabeth (17), Prince Gabriel (15), Prince Emmanuel (13) and Princess Eléonore (10) attended the traditional Christmas concert at the royal palace in Brussels.

Prince Gabriel hurt his foot. According to Court it's nothing serious, just a minor incident.

Princess Eléonore carried a "candle of peace" that was handed to her by an Austrian boy scout.

They were joined by former King Albert II, Princess Astrid & Prince Lorenz.

The Duchess of Brabant is enjoying a month of Christmas holidays before returning to her boarding school in Wales.

King Philippe told journalists he plans to take quality time off to be with his family. It isn't clear whether he will be joining them on holidays, as the government has just resigned.

Koning en koningin bedanken personeel met kerstconcert in het paleis https://t.co/fMMo4OhCn0

— Queen Mathilde Blog (@BlogMathilde) 19 december 2018

Red Lions + Christmas Visit 2018: La Maison Biloba

18 December 2018

This morning the king & queen received the Belgian male hockey team, who have just become world champions, at the Castle of Laeken.

In the afternoon Philippe & Mathilde made a Christmas visit to "La Maison Biloba" in Schaerbeek, a meeting place that facilitates good quality & social living conditions for local senior citizens.

Flashback: Solvay Innovation Awards

17 December 2003

Crown Prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde with Baron Daniel Janssen, chairman of the Solvay Chemical Group and Alois Michielsen, Solvay's Chief Executive Office, at the Solvay Innovation Awards in Brussels.

Mathilde's younger sister Hélène married Daniel Janssen's son, Nicolas Janssen, in 2011.