State Visit #16: Vietnam

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde are making a state visit to Vietnam from 1 April to 3 April 2025. They will be visiting Hanoi, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City.

Sunday 30 March 2025

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde take off from Melsbroek airport.

Jewels: Kunzite & Diamond Bracelet

During the Belgian state visit to Germany (December 2023) Mathilde wore a new diamond bracelet with pink gemstones.

It was identified by Benjamin Vaesen as this particular piece, sold at auction by Bonhams New York for $ 20,000 in 2012. Most likely it was purchased by or for Mathilde at a later date from another dealer.

A belle époque kunzite and diamond bracelet, Marcus & Co., circa 1915

Designed as a line of slightly graduated rectangular-cut kunzite, each with square openwork spacers of old European-cut diamonds; signed M&Co. for Marcus & Co., estimated total diamond weight: 3.00 carats; mounted in platinum topped gold; length: 7 1/2in.

Other sightings:

Maison Auton'Home

27 March 2025

Queen Mathilde visited the Maison Auton'Home of Les Petits Riens in Forest. In this communal home, five young people between the ages of 18 and 24 years live together. 

Via "The Queen's Help Fund", Queen Mathilde grants financial support to young people who have no family to rely on, e.g. after having lived in a care home, a foster home or because they are orphans. Once they reach the age of 18 they have to leave these places and are on their own, without any follow-up. 

The Queen's Help Fund wants to help these young people by investing in their personal empowerment, their social integration in society and by making sure they have a place to live which will ultimately lead to an independent life. 

Mathilde started providing these funds after the government ceased to invest in these young people. 

Jewels: Foliage Brooch

During the Singapore state visit to Belgium (March 2025), Queen Mathilde was wearing a new small brooch.

The brooch presents a delicate foliage design set in gold and diamonds.

 

Incoming State visit #13: Singapore

From 24 March to 26 March 2025, King Philippe & Queen Mathilde will be hosting their 13th incoming state visit when President Tharman Shanmugaratnam of Singapore & his wife, Jane Yumiko Ittogi pay a visit to Belgium.

Monday 24 March 2025

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde welcome the Singaporean presidential couple at the Place des palais in Brussels.

🇧🇪🇸🇬 STATE VISIT SINGAPORE

👑 At the invitation of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, the President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam visits Belgium.

📍 Welcome ceremony, Palace Square in front of the Royal Palace in Brussels pic.twitter.com/KodWrKjGvO

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) March 24, 2025

  Official welcome inside the royal palace.

🇧🇪🇸🇬 STATE VISIT SINGAPORE

👑 At the invitation of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, the President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam and First Lady Jane Yumiko Ittogi visit Belgium.

📍 Welcome ceremony, Royal Palace in Brussels pic.twitter.com/xYNFnCdr4u

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) March 24, 2025

State banquet at the Palace of Laeken.

 

🇧🇪🇸🇬 STATE VISIT SINGAPORE

👑 At the invitation of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, the President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam and First Lady Jane Yumiko Ittogi visit Belgium.

📍 State banquet, Castle of Laeken (Brussels), the residence of the king and queen pic.twitter.com/QUFPfSFZnM

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) March 24, 2025

Tuesday 25 March 2025

Today the royal and presidential couple met again at the royal palace for a round table on social integration.