vrijdag 30 december 2016

Earlier This Week: Utopia

23 December 2016

King Philippe and his 3 eldest children, Elisabeth (15), Gabriel (13) and Emmanuel (11) went to see the exhibition "In Search of Utopia" at Museum M in Leuven.



Previously, Queen Mathilde had visited the expo: http://queenmathilde.blogspot.be/2016/10/expo-op-zoek-naar-utopia.html

maandag 26 december 2016

Heritage: Wedding Car

The limo that Philippe and Mathilde used on their wedding day has been donated by court to the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.






It was also used by the couple for the enthronement of King Philippe.


The past 3 years the car was kept in use by the VIP Mercedes Garage of Brussels.

The Mercedes Pullman 600 decapotable was bought by King Boudewijn in 1968 and will remain available for the Belgian royals to use.


vrijdag 23 december 2016

Christmas Holidays

King Philippe gave an interview to journalist Finn (9) of children's TV show "Karrewiet".

videohttp://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/binnenland/1.2852532

At the castle of Laken he told her the family would be spending Christmas on holiday, relaxing and sporting.


Philippe has a Christmas present ready for Mathilde - however, it should remain a surprise.

donderdag 22 december 2016

Christmas Visit 2016: Chambéry

22 December 2016

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde visited Maison de Quartier/Buurthuis Chambéry in Etterbeek, Brussels.






This meeting place is open to all neighbourhood residents and houses a social restaurant. The King & Queen had a Christmas lunch with the other visitors.





woensdag 21 december 2016

Christmas Card 2016


Behind the scenes: Christmas Visit to UZA

21 December 2016

Femke Gijsbrechts reported on Twitter that Queen Mathilde visited the UZA hospital today and greeted patients - perhaps at the Mother and Child Center that carries her name?

Christmas Concert 2016

21 December 2016

King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and their 4 children were present at the Royal Palace in Brussels for the annual Christmas Concert.


Patricia Vlerick acted as lady-in-waiting.
















The beautiful rendition of César Franck's "Panis Angelicus" was a moving moment for King Philippe.











dinsdag 20 december 2016

Sustainable Development Goals

20 December 2016

Queen Mathilde delivered the opening address in French and English at the European Commission's High Level Policy Summit on Sustainable Development Goals, in Brussels.


The summit started with a minute silence for the victims of the terror attack in Berlin.



"It is often said, nowadays, that these are uncertain times. But we cannot deny that they are also interesting times (...)"


"(...) L’un des défis majeurs de l’Agenda 2030 réside dans son caractère inclusif, universel et holistique. La coopération au développement et l'aide humanitaire restent naturellement d’importants éléments moteurs du développement. Mais le développement global ne peut plus uniquement être perçu et abordé au travers de courants traditionnels entre le Nord et le Sud. Bref, ne sommes-nous pas tous en voie de développement? Plus encore que les objectifs millénaires du développement, les objectifs de développement durable s’appliquent également à nous-mêmes.(...)"


"(...) Across the world, people are increasingly concerned about issues such as climate change, humanitarian disasters, insecurity, destabilisation, terrorism, poverty, unemployment, growing inequality and the undermining of human dignity. All these EU initiatives I mentioned actively address these concerns and offer a positive message: a message of confidence in the capacity of people to cope with difficult challenges; a message which is broadly shared by all stakeholders. (...)"


"Je crois pouvoir dire que les jeunes sont les « stakeholders » par excellence à cet égard. Je vous fais donc part d’ un souhait que je voudrais former avec beaucoup de conviction : je plaide pour que nous mesurions le message de confiance que j’évoquais tout à l’heure à l’aune des préoccupations, des attentes et des aspirations des jeunes ; ces jeunes à qui on ne cesse de répéter que leur avenir sera plus difficile que le passé de leurs parents ; qui sont confrontés à des incertitudes et des craintes ; mais qui acquièrent résilience et créativité, qui développent des atouts et des talents."

"Je suis convaincue que les jeunes, non seulement aujourd’hui, mais aussi dans un avenir proche et plus lointain, continueront à se faire entendre. Et tant mieux si les idéaux de développement durable les y inspirent."


"La résilience de nos sociétés mérite toute notre attention. Il importe, dès lors, à soutenir activement tout message positif et porteur de confiance."

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