state visit to belgium

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State Visit Sparkle for Queen Maxima and Queen Mathilde in Belgium

06.20.2023 by thecourtjeweller // Leave a Comment

It’s royal-royal state visit time, everybody—which means we’ve got major tiaras in Belgium tonight!

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands headed to Brussels on Tuesday to begin a state visit with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians. The Belgian royal couple welcomed their Dutch counterparts with an official ceremony at the Royal Palace in Brussels to kick off the visit.

The two royal couples also greeted members of the public in Brussels and made a balcony appearance at city hall.

The first day of the visit included several stops for King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. One of the most poignant was a commemoration ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Brussels.

They also made a stop at Belgium’s federal parliament…

…and had a meeting with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and his wife, Annik Penders.

For the first day of the state visit, Queen Máxima wore ivory: a tweed suit with a matching hat, bag, and shoes.

She also added plenty of diamonds and pearls to her ensemble. She wore classic diamond and pearl button earrings and a three-stranded necklace of graduated pearls. Her brooch is one of the most exciting parts of the ensemble. The diamond and pearl strawberry leaf brooch dates to the first half of the nineteenth century. It was once owned by Queen Sophie of the Netherlands, who wore it in a memorable Winterhalter painting.

Máxima also added a seed pearl bracelet and wore a diamond and pearl ring on her right hand. Even her hat pins were tipped with pearls! The small purple pin on Máxima’s lapel is an important touch, too—it’s a miniature version of the Order of Leopold, her highest Belgian decoration.

Queen Mathilde wore a red floral outfit with a matching hat for the arrival of the Dutch royal couple.

She upped the sparkle factor considerably by wearing a lovely pair of diamond earrings (seen most recently during the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition ) and a diamond floral bracelet.

In the evening, the royals headed out to the outskirts of Brussels for a grand state banquet at the Palace of Laeken. The dramatic vistas outside the castle always make for beautiful gala photographs.

The royals wore white tie, gala gowns, tiaras, and decorations for the dinner. Both King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima wore the purple sash of Belgium’s Order of Leopold, while King Philippe and Queen Mathilde wore the blue and gold sash of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.

The couples toasted to the happy and enduring relationship between their two nations during the banquet.

For the dinner, Queen Máxima wore a textured pink gown with a ruffled skirt, accessorized with some of the grandest diamonds in the Dutch royal vaults.

Queen Máxima reached for one of the smaller settings of the grand Stuart Tiara , which was made in 1897 for Queen Wilhelmina. The tiara was constructed as a showcase for the 40-carat Stuart Diamond, but Queen Máxima opted not to wear the large, pear-shaped stone on this occasion, swapping it out for a different diamond cluster. (This is the same setting that she wore last year during the Dutch state visit to Sweden.) She paired the tiara with the tiara’s matching necklace.

Even more diamonds completed the ensemble. Máxima wore Queen Wilhelmina’s Diamond Earrings , plus a pair of diamond bracelets. On her left wrist, she wore the smaller of the two Dutch East Indies Bracelets, and on her right wrist, she added the Diamond Trellis Bracelet, which was made for Queen Wilhelmina around 1900.

She also wore her engagement and wedding rings , plus the diamond ring that Willem-Alexander gave her to celebrate the birth of Princess Ariane in 2007. And she carried a fan, too—it’s reportedly very hot in the palace today!

Queen Mathilde wore a dramatic gown of light blue lace with a cape for the banquet, plus a whole lot of diamonds.

She reached for the full setting of the Nine Provinces Tiara , the diadem reserved for Belgian queens regnant and consort. The tiara was one of the wedding gifts presented to Queen Astrid, King Philippe’s grandmother, in 1926. Technically, Mathilde wore  two tiaras for the banquet. Her necklace is the secondary setting of the Wolfers Tiara , which was presented to Queen Fabiola as a wedding gift in 1960.

Queen Mathilde also wore one of her pairs of diamond fringe earrings , as well as a diamond and aquamarine bracelet.

And here’s one more look at the ensembles of both of the queens consort at tonight’s banquet. Magnificent!

Speaking of capes, there was one more royal lady in attendance at the banquet: King Philippe’s sister, Princess Astrid of Belgium. She draped a fire-engine red cape over her hot pink evening gown. The sash of her highest Dutch decoration, the Order of the Crown, completed the colorful look.

For her jewelry, Astrid reached for diamonds: the Savoy-Aosta Tiara , plus intricate diamond drop earrings and a large diamond brooch.

Stay tuned: we’ll be back with more Royal Ascot jewels in the late morning tomorrow!

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20 Jun June State visit to Belgium

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• Date 20 June 2023 - 22 June 2023
• Location Belgium

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima pay a state visit to Belgium at the invitation of his Majesty the King of the Belgians.

State visit to Belgium – programme

His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima will be paying a state visit to Belgium at the invitation of His ...

News item | 01-06-2023 | 16:00

State visit to Belgium

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Máxima will pay a state visit to Belgium at the invitation of his Majesty the King of ...

News item | 15-02-2023 | 10:00

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Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Queen Mathilde attend state banquet

• READ MORE:  First cousins King Philippe of the Belgium and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg who were born a day apart celebrate with a joint cake during state visit 

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and Queen Mathilde of Belgium pulled out all the stops as they attended a State Banquet in Brussels today.

Maria Teresa, 68, has joined her husband Grand Duke Henri for a state visit to Belgium  - and their first evening's entertainment consisted of a lavish dinner at the Laken Castle. 

The European royals looked dazzling in all their finery, consisting of historical jewellery, long dresses, sashes and even tiaras. 

Looking effortlessly elegant, the Grand Duchess opted for a daring off-the-shoulder style black dress, adding a pale pink satin shawl. 

She wore the Belgian Scroll Tiara with the Aquamarine Parure and the Order of Leopold - the highest order in Belgium - to pay tribute to the host country. 

Meanwhile, Queen Mathilde, 51, commanded attention in a stunning sky blue gown embellished entirely with sequins. 

The mother-of-four's shimmering long sleeved dress boasted an elegant sweetheart neckline and full tulle skirt. 

She also wore the Nine Provinces Tiara - dating back from 1926 - a diamond necklace, diamond earrings and the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau. 

The Belgian royals certainly concluded day one of the three-day visit with elegance and grandeur, showing their Luxembourg counterparts the splendour of their royal residence at Laeken. 

Earlier in the day, the Duchess was in high spirits as she and the Queen of Belgium huddled under an umbrella to chat during a ceremony at the Place des Palais.

Maria Teresa grinned as Mathilde held up the parasol over them, to shield away from the rainy weather.

The official welcome ceremony took place on the palaces' square, where both national anthems played after a presentation from the troops.

The Belgian Queen was effortlessly elegant in a dusky pale pink ensemble, featuring an A-line dress that cinched at the waist with a belt.

She accessorised her look with a matching headpiece and handbag, teamed with pastel gloves.

Meanwhile, Maria Teresa opted for a deep navy frock and ornate overcoat.

The Grand Duchess also went for bedazzled earrings and a glamorous make-up look, styling her short blonde tresses in gentle waves. 

Elsewhere the Grand Duke, 69, and King Philippe of Belgium , 64, sported smart suits as they walked and chatted alongside each other.

For the three-day visit to Belgium, the Grand Ducal couple are also joined by Luxembourg officials as well as Prime Minister Luc Frieden and the Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth.

This trip aims to highlight 'new areas of cooperation', as outlined by the Luxembourg Government.

'This is the second State visit to Belgium by TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess,' a statement on the site read .

'Reflecting the excellent relations between Luxembourg and Belgium, who are close neighbours united by strong historical, political, socio-economic and cultural ties.'

It comes as Henri has revealed that he already has an abdication date in mind - placing him in the fray of older European monarchs rumoured to be considering stepping down from duty to let their young heirs take the reigns.

Speaking to La Libre , as reported by Point de Vue , the royal quipped that he knows the exact date he plans to pass the baton to his son Guillaume, 42 - but 'won't tell' the press yet.

'All this is planned in family consultation. I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective,' he added.

'Transmission and trust are the two essential elements in my relationship with my son Guillaume.' 

The outlet, reporting on a conversation the Grand Duke had with programme Place Royale, also revealed that he said it's 'obvious' that he 'intends to retire at some point'.

'There are plans,' Henri - who has reigned since October 2000 - explained. 'There will come a day when it will have to be done.'

His comments follow a series of abdication rumours amid European royals , after Queen Margrethe of Denmark made the shock decision to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January.

At the time, royal biographer Phil Dampier told MailOnline that he believes King Charles will be influenced by events in Denmark since New Year's Eve - especially if it would protect the future of the British Royal Family.

He added that the Prince and Princess of Wales are very friendly with Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, and will have been in contact with them.

'Our late Queen would never abdicate because of what happened in 1936 when her uncle abdicated and her father came to the throne. But times change,' he explained.

'William and Kate get on very well with Frederik and Mary and will be among the first to congratulate them. They will be fascinated to see how they get on as King and Queen and it will make them think about their future as well'.

However, King Harald of Norway has confirmed he has no plans to abdicate after speculation he could follow in the footsteps of his former Danish counterpart.

The monarch, 86, (who is the second cousin of King Charles III ) insisted that the promise he made to the Norwegian Parliament when he acceded the throne in 1991 'lasts for life'.

King Harald told Faktisk.no: 'I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath to the Storting, and it lasts for life.'

The Grand Duke and his wife Maria Teresa, 68, have five children including Guillaume - Prince Félix, 39, Prince Louis, 37, Princess Alexandra, 33 and Prince Sébastien, 31.

Guillaume and his wife Stéphanie, 40, have two sons: Charles, three, and François Henri Louis Marie Guillaume, who turned one last month.

State visit of TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess to the Kingdom of Belgium – Third day

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At the invitation of Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians, TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess are undertaking a State visit to the Kingdom of Belgium from 16 to 18 April 2024. 

The Vice Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Xavier Bettel, the Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, and the Minister of Defence, Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity, Yuriko Backes, are joining the Grand Ducal couple during the three-day State visit. Prime Minister Luc Frieden and the Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth, are also present at various points during the programme.

In addition to high-level political, economic and cultural meetings, the official programme includes company visits to Brussels, Ghent and Liège. As part of this State visit, a large economic delegation, comprising representatives of more than 125 companies active in the sectors of the circular economy, renewable energies, health technologies, finance, tourism, (cyber-)security, defence and space cooperation, is accompanying the Grand Ducal couple.

This is the second State visit to Belgium by TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, reflecting the excellent relations between Luxembourg and Belgium, who are close neighbours united by strong historical, political, socio-economic and cultural ties. In addition to consolidating long-standing partnerships, the State visit also provides an opportunity to highlight new areas of cooperation and to stimulate progress and innovation with the aim of ensuring sustainable growth that respects the environment.

Thursday 18 April 2024

In the early morning, HM the King of the Belgians and HRH the Grand Duke will visit Melsbroek air base, where the bi-national A400M unit of the 15th Air Transport Wing of the Defence of the Kingdom of Belgium is stationed. The sovereigns are welcomed by its commander, Air Force Colonel Bruno Beeckmans, the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Belgium, Ludivine Dedonder, Minister Yuriko Backes, Major General Thierry Dupont, Commander of the Belgian Air Force, and the Mayor of the municipality of Steenokkerzeel, Kurt Ryon. Luxembourg and Belgium have been cooperating closely for decades in the field of defence. In particular, the two countries will be setting up a bi-national combat reconnaissance battalion. HRH the Grand Duke and the King of the Belgians attend several presentations. They are first briefed on the Luxembourg police's Airbus H145M helicopter, then on the activities of the Belgian Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (SEDEE) and the Luxembourg army's Demining Service (SEDAL). They are then given a demonstration of the Integrator drone and have the opportunity to meet three Luxembourg students currently undergoing ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) training in Belgium. The visit to Melsbroeck also includes an exploration of an A400M flight simulator by HRH the Grand Duke and HM the King of the Belgians.

©SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen

(fr. l. to r.) HM the King of the Belgians; HRH the Grand Duke

Visit to Melsbroek air base - A400M hangar - Group photo

©SIP / Emmanuel Claude

Exchange with students from Luxembourg on an ISTAR course in Belgium

Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defence, Minister of Mobility and Public Works, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity

Presentation of SEDEE (Service d'enlèvement et de destruction d'engins explosifs) & SEDAL (Service de déminage de l'armée luxembourgeoise)

(fr. l. to r.) Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defence, Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity; HRH the Grand Duke; HM the King of the Belgians; Ludivine Dedonder, Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Belgium

A400M flight simulator - (fr. l. to r.) HM the King of the Belgians; HRH the Grand Duke

Illustration

Signing the guestbook

(fr. l. to r.) Ludivine Dedonder, Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Belgium; Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defence, Minister of Mobility and Public Works, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity

For his part, the Minister for the Economy, Lex Delles, is holding a bilateral meeting in Liège with Thomas Dermine, Secretary of State for Recovery and Strategic Investments, with responsibility for Science Policy, assistant to the Minister for the Economy and Labour of the Kingdom of Belgium.

HM the King of the Belgians and HRH the Grand Duke then travel to Liège, where they are welcomed by the Governor, Hervé Jamar, and the Mayor, Willy Demeyer. They visit the University of Liège to attend the opening of a seminar on security and defence challenges in and from space. Ministers Xavier Bettel, Lex Delles and Yuriko Backes, along with their Belgian counterparts Thomas Dermine and Ludivine Dedonder, are among the participants in this seminar, which aims to bring together Belgian and Luxembourg partners from the space, cybersecurity and defence ecosystems to highlight joint projects and seek new opportunities for cooperation that will bring added value to both countries. Opening speeches by these four ministers are followed by a thematic panel entitled "Protection of critical space assets" attended by the Belgian and Luxembourg Ministers of Defence, and a round table on "Secure communications" attended by HRH the Grand Duke, HM the King of the Belgians, Xavier Bettel, Lex Delles and Thomas Dermine and moderated by Marc Serres, CEO of the Luxembourg space agency.

(fr. l. to r.) Prof. Anne-Sophie Nyssen, Rector of the University of Liège; Willy Demeyer, Mayor of Liège; HM the King of the Belgians; Catherine Delcourt, District Commissioner; HRH the Grand Duke of Liège.

(f. l. to r.) Lex Delles, Minister of the Economy, SME's, Energy and Tourism; Thomas Dermine, Secretary of State for Recovery and Strategic Investments, responsible for Science Policy, attached to the Minister of the Economy and Labour of the Kingdom of Belgium; Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defence, Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Minister of Gender Equality and Diversity

University of Liège - Seminar

Opening speech by the Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles

©IP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen

Opening speech by the Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes

University of Liège - Round table

On the fringes of the seminar, a memorandum of understanding is signed between HITEC Luxembourg and AMOS, a Liege-based company well known for its telescopes and optical space systems, on the joint development and marketing of a common optical antenna, in the presence of Lex Delles and Thomas Dermine.

HRH the Grand Duchess and HM the Queen of the Belgians also visit the organisation Child Focus in Brussels, before moving on to Liège. This Belgian charitable foundation is dedicated to finding missing children and combating the sexual exploitation of minors, both online and offline. The Grand Duchess and the Queen are received by the Chairman of Child Focus, Baron François Cornelis, and the Foundation's Director General, Heidi De Pauw. They are given the opportunity to find out about the foundation's various missions and achievements, and to visit its offices.

©Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

(fr. l. to r.) Arlette Conzemius, advisor to HRH the Grand Duchess, House of the Grand Duke; HRH the Grand Duchess; Gauthier Destenay, husband of Xavier Bettel; Heidi De Pauw, CEO of Child Focus Belgium; HM the Queen of the Belgians

Child Focus Foundation – Tour of the offices – Presentation of the Max campaign

Child Focus Foundation - Presentation of the foundation's missions and achievements

HRH the Grand Duchess

(fr. l. to r.) Heidi De Pauw, CEO of Child Focus Belgium; HRH the Grand Duchess; HM the Queen of the Belgians

The State visit concludes with a themed lunch at the Palais des Princes évêques, the headquarters of the Liège provincial administration, in the presence of the grand-ducal couple and the royal couple. The lunch, hosted by the Governor of the Province of Liège, Hervé Jamer, and the Mayor of Liège, Willy Demeyer, focuses on cross-border cooperation and co-development between Belgium and Luxembourg.

(fr. l. to r.) HM the King of the Belgians; HRH the Grand Duke; Catherine Delcourt, District Commissioner; Willy Demeyer, Mayor of Liège; Luc Gillard, Provincial Deputy, President of the Province of Liège

Palais des princes évêques in Liège - Signing of the guest book of the Pronvince of Liège and the City of Liège

Group photo

Palais des princes évêques in Liège – Thematic lunch

(fr. l. to r.) Willy Demeyer, Mayor of Liège; HM the King of the Belgians; Xavier Bettel, Vice Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs

Lex Delles, Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism

After a final meeting with the people of Liège, TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess take leave of Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians on Place Saint-Lambert before returning to Luxembourg.

Interaction with the crowd

Retirement Ceremony

Review of the troops

(from l. to r.) HM the Queen of the Belgians; HRH the Grand Duke; HM the King of the Belgians; HRH the Grand Duchess

© SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen

TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess take leave of Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians

Press release by the Information and Press Service

Minister(s)

• BACKES Yuriko
• BETTEL Xavier
• FRIEDEN Luc
• ROTH Gilles

Organisation(s)

• Directorate of Defence
• Information and Press Service
• Ministry of Equality between Women and Men
• Ministry of Finance
• Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
• Ministry of Mobility and Public Works
• Ministry of State 
• Ministry of the Economy
• Foreign affairs

Date of the event

8 of the best places to visit in Belgium

Dec 4, 2023 • 8 min read

Explore Brussels with this guide to the country's best places to visit © RossHelen / Getty Images

Travelers often overlook Belgium in favor of neighbors like France and the Netherlands, but it’s one of Europe’s best kept secrets. Because of its history, Belgium is linguistically and culturally diverse; it’s also small and compact, so visitors can travel to multiple destinations with ease. 

From perfect fries and chocolate to accessible nature breaks, picturesque medieval towns and vibrant art and fashion scenes, there is truly something for everyone to experience in Belgium. Here are the best places to visit.

1. Brussels

Best for shopping, museums and street food

Brussels , the capital of Belgium and seat of the EU and NATO, is one of Europe’s most multicultural cities. 

Art lovers can spend a whole day visiting the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium – its six different museums include the must-visit Magritte Museum – along with the Boghossian Foundation at Villa Empain, and the modern-chic Center for Fine Arts, a multipurpose cultural venue commonly referred to as BOZAR .

The city is filled with architectural masterpieces such as the Grand Place , a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and the illustrious Maison Cauchie , which can be toured on certain weekends with advance reservations.

You can find some of the world’s best and most affordable vintage shopping at the Brussels flea markets, most notably the daily open-air antique market in Place du Jeu-de-Balle, and the shops in the Sablon district.

Planning tip: For food and drink lovers, Brussels is the place to taste all of Belgium’s highlights. Délirium Café is a beloved, always-crowded bar with more than 2,000 types of beer, including the country’s famed Trappist beers. Nearby, there are a handful of outdoor kiosks, known as frietkot (snack stands), where you can get your fix of frieten – fries served in a paper cone with your sauce of choice. To satisfy a sweet tooth, try Belgian chocolate at Pierre Marcolini and, of course, the fluffy Brussels-style waffles at Maison Dandoy .

2. Namur Province

Best for forts, nature and river views

Known as the “Land of Valleys”, the land-locked province of Namur in the Wallonia region is rich in nature – rivers, cliffs, rolling farm hills and lush Ardennes greenery.

With postcard-perfect aesthetics and a mighty citadel perched atop limestone cliffs, Dinant is the ideal day-trip destination. Stroll around the town, cruise along the river, ride the cable car up to the fortress to take in the sweeping views and enjoy the scenery from a cafe while tasting regional specialties like the Couque de Dinant, a hard biscuit that comes in various shapes. Made of equal parts wheat flour and honey, it can be kept indefinitely, making a great souvenir to take back home.

For a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience, head to Liernu, an even smaller town that’s the epitome of tranquility. Here you’ll find L’air du Temps , a fine-dining restaurant in a beautifully renovated farmhouse set on 12 acres of private gardens. Most of the dishes served are sourced from the garden and often feature highlights of the local terroir, like Wallonia’s most sustainable food source, the Petits-Gris de Namur snails.

From there, you’re a stone’s throw from the city of Namur , capital of both the province and the region. This relaxed city is home to one of Europe’s largest citadels and also the adults-only Musée Félicien Rops , which exhibits the life and work of the scandalous 19th-century Belgian artist.

Best for wandering and romantic escapes 

A visit to Bruges feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Often called the Venice of the North, the city is incredibly charming with an intricate network of tree-lined canals, cobblestone streets and well-preserved architecture. To add to the allure, many of the distinctively medieval buildings look like gingerbread houses, thanks to the red Gothic brick. All that and the fact that it’s the birthplace of Flemish Primitive painting led to the entire historic center of Bruges being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bruges is best experienced at a leisurely pace. Wander around the Old Town on foot, soaking up the atmosphere of the city squares, the Markt and the Burg ; hop on a canal boat tour and count all 54 bridges, then bike along the canals to the less crowded places. For the best bird’s-eye views, head to the Belfort , one of Bruges’ most recognizable landmarks, and climb the 366 steps to the top.

Catch your breath with a crisp Belgian beer, which can be found on every corner of the city. Noteworthy destinations are De Halve Maan , a brewery that also offers tours with tastings, and ’t Brugs Beertje , a legendary beerhouse with more than 300 Belgian brews on the menu.

Last but not least, no visit to Bruges is complete without a visit to the Groeningemuseum , a fine art museum with an impressive Flemish Primitive collection.

Best for fashion and design 

Home to the world-renowned Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Belgium’s second city is also its coolest . Some of fashion’s top creatives, including Martin Margiela and Balenciaga’s Demna Gvasalia, have connections to Antwerp . A few have gone on to open unique shops here that are worth a visit, such as Dries Van Noten’s Het Modepaleis and Ann Demeulemeester’s sleek, black-and-bone-white flagship store .

There are more trendy shops in the Kammenstraat and Nationalestraat areas that make up the Fashion District, where you can also find the impressive fashion museum MoMu .

Beyond its stylish inhabitants, Antwerp has a visual edge driven by the contrasting architectural styles of contemporary projects and medieval buildings. Make your way down to the port to marvel at late architect Zaha Hadid’s Antwerp Port House and the MAS , home to exhibitions and collections revolving around the city.

5. The Belgian coast

Best for beaches 

The white, sandy Belgian coast stretches for 65km (40 miles), meaning you can pack multiple towns into a visit without feeling overwhelmed. Making things even easier is de Kusttram , a coastal tram that’s one of the longest in the world. It starts near the French border at De Panne and travels all the way to Knokke-Heist near the Dutch border, making 67 stops. The complete journey takes 2.5 hours and allows you to admire the coastline in its entirety, jumping off whenever you like without having to worry about parking.  

The two must-visit stops are De Haan and Oostduinkerke. De Haan is unlike other towns in that all buildings must be under five floors, which helps preserve its small-village charm. The low beachfront made up of Belle Epoque architecture and unspoiled grassy dunes is love at first sight for many. Still not convinced? The sweet treats at the retro Wafelhuis Annie or high tea at the vintage 't Stil Genot tearoom are sure to win you over. 

Oostduinkerke, or East Dunkirk, is a protected dune area and the only place in the world where shrimpers still use horse-dragged nets to collect tiny gray shrimp from the sand. This centuries-old tradition is practiced by just over a dozen highly trained locals and takes place at low tide during the warmer months, usually between April and October. In 2013, shrimp fishing on horseback in Oostduinkerke received UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity status. To learn more about this and the other local sea traditions, visit Navigo , a national museum housed in a 19th-century fisher’s cottage.

Best for a quirky weekend break

Located between Brussels and Bruges, Ghent encapsulates the best of Belgian cities: winding canals, medieval architecture, enviable museums and cobblestone alleyways filled with shops and restaurants. The difference is that it’s also home to the largest student population in Belgium – a young, beating heart in one of the country’s oldest urban areas. 

Take a closer look and you’ll find an unconventional creative community, flourishing music scene and so many plant-based menus that it’s often referred to as the vegetarian capital of Europe. 

Since 2009, Ghent has proudly held the title of UNESCO Creative City of Music. There’s a wide range of options for everyone’s tastes, from Belgium’s first silent disco at Abacho to performances at the never boring Vooruit Art Center and De Bijloke Muziekcentrum , and live music on the street and in bars and cafes like Kinky Star , a record-label-owned cafe famous for its Irish coffees and alternative concerts.

Best for thermal hot springs and well-being

Spas around the world take their name from this peaceful and breathtaking Ardennes town. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021, Spa is known for its healing thermal springs and lightly sparkling mineral water. The most famous spa in Spa is Thermes de Spa , a modern and surprisingly affordable complex in the hills that’s backed by more than 150 years of knowledge and tradition. With a stunning natural landscape as your backdrop, resting and relaxing feels easy here.

Spa is also home to the world’s first casino , a permanent exhibition of Joan Miró lithographs , and the annual Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix at the world-class Spa-Francorchamps track.

8. Hoge Kempen National Park

Best for nature

Hoge Kempen National Park is the only national park in Belgium. A former coal-mining site, it opened in 2006 following the cooperative conservation efforts of businesses, government agencies and environmental organizations.

The 5,700-hectare (14,085-acre) nature reserve is mostly heathland and pine forest, a lush landscape of evergreen trees – and vibrant purple-flowering shrubs in August and September – next to expansive artificial waterways. Today, it’s inhabited by more than 6,000 species of flora and fauna, which is especially impressive considering the area’s industrial history. 

Planning tip:  There are five main gateways that serve as entrances to the park. For those without a car, the park can be accessed through the Kattevennen Gateway, first by taking a train to Genk station, followed by a De Lijn bus ride or a short walk. Once inside, there are different routes depending on whether you’re exploring by bicycle, mountain bike, horseback or on foot. Admission is always free, and the park is open all year long. Rangers offer guided experiences for all ages with advance registration.

This article was first published May 2022 and updated December 2023

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King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended a State Banquet at Bellevue Palace

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium are making a three-day state visit to Germany at the invitation of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. On the evening of December 5, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender held a state dinner at Bellevue Presidential Palace in honour of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.

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Mathilde's hair and tiara look very nice. Not too opulent or over played. I'm not sure of her gown since I'd prefer to see it in more indoor light, though that's the first time I'm seeing her with a neckline like that. Mrs. Budenbender looks like she is clutching a huge bedsheet around her. Funny that both she and Mathilde chose a copper colour. I like that colour paired with black. - Anon 9:13

Aha! More photos have been added and I can now see Mathilde's gown better. It is gorgeous and the curved bodice and low shoulder line looks stunning on her. I love the deep burgundy velvet but I can just imagine how spectacular this gown would also look in black velvet. However I think that this colour was correct for this German state visit. Black might have been too formal and better suited for a glitzier occasion. Very, very nice! (PS In the earlier photos, the gown looked black and the coverings looked copper in colour but now I'm not so sure, may be it's orange?...that's why I wanted to see the garments in proper indoor light.) - Anon 9:13

That picture was unvorteilhaft, because the wind took the silkscarf, on my tv-screen mrs Büdenbenders outfit looked really pretty. anna e.

This black velvet evening gown is super elegant and a great choice for a winter evening. The off shoulder and long sleeves is a wonderful look. The meander tiara is just the right size when visiting a republic. How nice that the Queens scarf matches Ms Büdenbenders dress. I hope we will see more pictures of Ms Büdenbender´s dress. She looks very elegant

Now I see on new photos that the gown is burgundy but it is still super elegant.

What a fabulous dress, finished with beautiful yet understated jewellery, make-up and hairdo: a fantastic look for Queen Mathilde. I'm not going to comment on the first lady, maybe she has a great dress underneath that shawl. We cannot see. Damsel Dragonfly

Oh wow! she looks stunning. Love the gown and drape across her shoulders. Her up style is perfect. The tiara and earrings, beautiful. The diamond necklace and brooch are the perfect finishing touch. This is a very well put together outfit.

Wholeheartedly agree! Mabel

Totally agree, such a royal elegance

I love this gown! the gorgeous fabric in the ddep burgundy is beautiful on QMat!!! Her jewelry is perfect and simple but still regal. She looks fabulous!!! Janet

What beautiful gown and jewels. Just stunning. I like the color of the first Lady of Germany gown but what is this huge wrap, too much material IMO. css

Queen Mathilde really looks lovely here. Her updo is so pretty with the tiara. -Royal Watcher

What a beautiful evening gown. Love the neckline, the deep colour, the velvet fabric and the copper lined shawl. Add in the elegant up do and the jewellery and it's a total winner for Queen Mathilde. Not sure what happened to Frau Steinmeier, who is generally very elegant. The shawl seems to have developed a life of its own but the colour of the dress looks nice.

Queen Mathilde's whole look is simply beautiful! I believe that velvet gown is the same one she wore for a French state visit a few years ago. I'm glad to see it again, it's simply elegant.

Every inch a Queen, very elegant. Would love to see more of the First Lady’s dress, an interesting color. Mrs C

Mathilde is perfection! She and the King make a striking couple! MR

Totally agree. The personification of regal Royal couple.

Queen Mathilde wore this dress in 2018 during a state visit of France to Belgium. I thought the dress was burgundy in color, not black. It's a beautiful dress that the Queen wears well.

This is an Alexander McQueen, Princess of Wales wore the same in navy in 2019 to a diplomatic reception at Buckingham palace.

No it is not, it is Armani. So far I never saw Queen Mathilde wearing Alexander McQueen.

Contrary to what I am reading here, the velvet gown is not black but dark wine red. Queen Mathilde wore this dress for the first and only time until now in 2018 when President Macron was on state visit in Belgium. The dress is by Armani. She was wearing the necklace for the first time at the 18th birthday gala of Princess Ingrid Alexandra in Norway. So far nobody knows anything about this necklace. I like her very much in this dress and I am glad she wears it once again. Probably she never the opportunity to wear it during the corona years.

Good news and bad news from me. The good news is that Queen Mathilde looks stunning. All topped off with what @ Damsel Dragonfly said, “beautiful yet understated jewellery”. But the bad news is that whenever I see this style of dress, I get “Betty Boop” vibes. Maybe it’s just jealousy as I’ve got rather a flat chest. p.s. the scissors’s police need to give the final touch to Mrs Büdenbender’s gown. 😁

@Deadeggs, your comment is a joy to read as always! Great😉👍😁 The scissor' s police should have done something for the First Lady. Her gown is a true miss in my eyes, not for her, sorry.

Epoustouflante silhouette de Mathilde dans cette robe en velours grenat selon les photos ; j'adore son élégant décolleté avec les épaules subtilement dégagées ; de tous les diamants, ce sont ceux des boucles d'oreilles que je préfère ; très jolie la couleur cuivre de madame Büdenbender mais je ne sais pas vraiment si elle peut s'adapter à sa tenue !

She looks stunning in this velvet gown.

Both ladies look quite nice, in harmonized colors.

A Queen at her best

The Queen looks wonderful! The First Lady looks so uncomfortable tho. It's too bad she wore something that clearly made her feel awkward.

Both ladies look spectacular! I agree with the positive comments about QM.. But Mrs Budenbender looks very nice as well. I like her voloptuous dress. Usually she’s dressed rather boring.

I read that the necklace comes from the "Foliage" collection by the British jeweler Graff. How it came into the possession of Queen Mathilde I don't know, maybe a present or a piece that she and the king bought together. Since she cannot choose jewelry from a big collection like Queen Maxima or Queen Camilla, now and then a new piece shows up in her personal collection. Or will these new pieces of fine jewelry belong to the state after her, like in other countries. Or will they stay personal so that Queen Mathilde can pass them on to her daughters ? On her left hand she is wearing the bracelet she inherited from Queen Fabiola. It is made from diamonds and rubies.

This evening gown in a saturated burgundy shade looks fabulous on Q.Mathilde and her choice of jewelry is the perfect finishing touch. The First Lady...well... she sported a kind of gown which would be hard to wear even for a professional model , tall, slim and exquisitely beautiful. The President's wife tried too hard. Enough said. The gentlemen look groomed to perfection.

Love the Queen's gown. The neckline suits her perfectly. Edwina

Wow! Mathilde looks beautiful. There are techniques in weaving and/or dying so the thread and fabric can have a two tone effect, not to mention nighttime lighting. A different neckline for her, but beautiful! Christine

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State visit to Belgium by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Opening of the Royal Greenhouses in Laeken

The King visits the European Parliament

• Belgian Monarchy Thursday, 18 April 2024 - 18:48 🤝 C’est bientôt l’heure de se dire au revoir, mais pas sans saluer d’abord les habitants de Liège. Bon retour Cour Grand-Ducale ! 👋 —————... https://www.facebook.com/BeMonarchie/posts/pfbid0MyWJZD3pbC8R8PTVSg4Z4AGgqg1ACaLbmeL9YWa1H2BM3b1jBsGexfyE7ugLwqobl

The King of Belgium's duties include contacts with a wide range of representatives of Belgian society: members of the federal government, of the community and regional governments, MPs and political leaders, representatives of the economic, social, cultural and scientific sectors, academia, the media ...

The King and the members of the Royal Family also keep in close touch with the citizens of Belgium, promoting private and public initiatives that help bring about social improvements.

The King and the members of the Royal Family represent Belgium abroad at the highest levels (State visits, trade missions, participation in international meetings).

Royal family

His Majesty the King was born on 15 April 1960 in Brussels, the eldest son of King Albert II and Queen Paola.

Her Majesty the Queen was born in Uccle on 20 January 1973. She is the daughter of Count and Countess Patrick d'Udekem d'Acoz.

Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant

Elisabeth, Princess of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant, was born in Anderlecht on October 25, 2001. She is the first child of Their Majesties the King and Queen.

Prince Gabriel

Gabriel, Prince of Belgium, was born on August 20, 2003 in Anderlecht. Prince Gabriel is the second child of Their Majesties the King and Queen.

Prince Emmanuel

Emmanuel, Prince of Belgium, was born on October 4, 2005 in Anderlecht. He is the third child of Their Majesties the King and Queen.

Princess Eléonore

Eléonore, Princess of Belgium, was born on April 16, 2008 in Anderlecht. She is the fourth child of Their Majesties the King and Queen.

King Albert II & Queen Paola

His Majesty King Albert II was born in Brussels, at Stuyvenberg Castle, on 6 June 1934. Albert, who was given the title 'Prince of Liège' at birth, is the son of King Leopold III and of Queen Astrid, born Princess of Sweden. He is the grandson of King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth.

Princess Astrid & Prince Lorenz

Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid, Princess of Belgium, was born in Brussels on 5 June 1962. She is the second child of King Albert II and Queen Paola.

Prince Laurent & Princess Claire

His Royal Highness Prince Laurent was born on 19 October 1963 and is the youngest son of King Albert II and Queen Paola.

Photos and videos

The Royal Palace of Brussels , where the King works, has received thousands of visitors each year during the summer, ever since 1965. The Royal Greenhouses in Laeken are also open to the public each year during the spring. You are welcome to these prestigious buildings which are evidence of the living history of Belgium.

This section also offers you information about the Castle of Laeken and the Royal Crypt in Laeken , which houses the tombs of the members of the Royal Family.

Royal Palace of Brussels

The Royal Palace of Brussels is the King’s administrative residence and main workplace. In his office at the Brussels palace, the King receives the representatives of political institutions, foreign guests and other guests.

Castle of Laeken

The Castle of Schonenberg in Laeken was built on the initiative of the Austrian Archdukes and Governors-General of the Netherlands. Following the death of Leopold II, the State continued to put the Castle of Laeken at the disposal of the Royal Family.

Royal Greenhouses in Laeken

In 1873, architect A. Balat designed for King Leopold II a complex of greenhouses which complement the castle of Laeken. The complex has the appearance of a glass city set in an undulating landscape.

Royal Crypt in Laeken

Royal initiatives

The King and the members of the Royal Family promote private and public initiatives that help bring about social improvements.

Several initiatives have grown out of the commitment of the members of the Royal Family:

For children

The Royal Watcher

Austrian state visit to belgium.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium are hosting the President Alexander Van der Bellen of the Republic of Austria and First Lady Doris Schmidauer, on a State Visit to Belgium from March 21st to the 23rd, at the invitation of the Belgian Government to celebrate and build diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties.

📷 Hierna is het tijd voor de officiële foto en het tekenen van het gulden boek in het Koninklijk Paleis. #BELAT2022 #BelgianRoyalPalace #MonarchieBe pic.twitter.com/MEEMIVli67 — Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) March 21, 2022

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexander Van der Bellen (@vanderbellen)

🎶 Die Königin und die First Lady 🇦🇹 besuchen die @MusicChapel , wo sie mehr über das Musikstudio erfahren und einer Meisterklasse des Geigers und Dirigenten Augustin Dumay beiwohnen. #BELAT2022 pic.twitter.com/TsXrtIwX1h — Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) March 21, 2022

In the morning, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde welcomed President Alexander Van der Bellen and First Lady Doris Schmidauer at an Official Welcome Ceremony at the Place des Palais (Paleizenplein) in Brussels. Afterwards, the King and Queen met the Austrian Delegation, and hosted a Lunch for the President and First Lady. Later, the Queen and First Lady visited the Music Chapel in Waterloo.

#NEW King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are hosting an official dinner at Château de Laeken for Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and First Lady Doris Schmidauer on the first day of the Austrian State Visit to Belgium 🇦🇹🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/RtDaaakriJ — CoutureAndRoyals (@CoutureRoyals) March 21, 2022

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Royal Watcher (@the_royal_watcher)

In the evening, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde hosted an Official Dinner in honour of President Alexander Van der Bellen and First Lady Doris Schmidauer at the Royal Château de Laeken. Both the King and President gave speeches.

🇧🇪🇦🇹 Heute beginnt der Staatsbesuch Österreichs in Belgien! Entdecken Sie einige Bilder von früheren Begegnungen zwischen österreichischen Präsidenten und Königen der Belgier. #BELAT2022 pic.twitter.com/3yw4YKTv0g — Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) March 21, 2022

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Belgian Royal Palace (@belgianroyalpalace)

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The latest version of the programme of the State Visit of Their Majesties the King and the Queen of the Belgians to the Federal Republic of Germany is available below. Please note that the programme remains subject to change.

State visit of the Republic of Austria

The President of the Republic of Austria, H.E. Mr. Alexander Van der Bellen and First Lady, H.E. Mrs. Doris Schmidauer, will pay a state visit to Belgium from 21 to 23 March.

• Last updated on March 18, 2022

The President of the Republic of Austria, H.E. Mr. Alexander Van der Bellen and First Lady, H.E. Mrs. Doris Schmidauer, will pay a state visit to Belgium from 21 to 23 March. This is the first state visit between Austria and Belgium since 1997, but also the first incoming state visit to Belgium since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

President Van der Bellen and the First Lady will be officially welcomed by Their Majesties the King and Queen at the Royal Palace and received by the Prime Minister at the Egmont Palace. The President will lay a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier before being received at the Senate and the Chamber, as well as at the Town Hall in Brussels. An official dinner at the Château de Laeken will close the first day.

This State visit reiterates the close historical and cultural ties between our two countries and their willingness to act together in order to face current and future challenges, such as the conflict in Ukraine and its consequences, technological transformation and sustainable innovation in the framework of the Green Deal, as well as the strengthening of European and multilateral partnerships. The President will have working meetings with institutional and economic actors and will visit the College of Europe in Bruges. The First Lady will also visit the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel.

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Belgian King and Queen on first-ever state visit to South Africa

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde left today for South Africa for a state visit between March 22 and 27, at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. It marks the first Belgian state visit ever to South Africa.

The Belgian Royal Family will discuss with the South African leadership, among others, climate, migration, diamonds and vaccines, VRT reports. It was originally planned for 2021 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis.

South Africa is Belgium's largest African trading partner, and Belgium is the country's third-largest. South Africa has been a growing regional superpower in Africa since the end of the apartheid era and is the only African country to be a member of the G20 group and BRICS – a group of new economic powers comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

South Africa's relationship with Russia has been scrutinised since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. To date, Pretoria has still not explicitly condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, choosing to push for open and active diplomatic channels despite Ukraine facing daily Russian bombardments.

Biggest Belgian population in Africa

Curiously, South Africa is also home to the largest Belgian population on the African continent, with 10,000 Belgians living there.

The country is one of the largest diamond-producing countries in the world, with diamonds accounting for over 40% of the total export value to Belgium.

"The programme of the monarchs will include official engagements with President Ramaphosa and members of the government as well as visits to Johannesburg and Cape Town where they will engage with academia, business, and civil society, and visit historical and cultural sites," the Presidency said.

The King and Queen will visit and discuss projects that are running in the country, such as the operations biotech company Afrigen, which – in collaboration with Belgian scientists – develops its own vaccines to lessen dependency on third countries, a need which was also highlighted during the Covid-19 crisis.

Another item high on the royals' agenda is climate change. South Africa is among the most vulnerable countries when it comes to climate change, with temperatures in the region at risk of rising by 4 degrees in the coming decades. Together with South African partners, Belgian companies are helping to find solutions.

While there are many economic interests on the royal couples' itinerary, King Phillipe also finds the themes of apartheid, racism, and reconciliation of great importance. The couple will visit historical sites in South Africa where they will reflect on the painful history of apartheid.

Related News

• South Africa's neutral stance criticised after joint Chinese-Russian military announcement
• Direct flights from Belgium to South Africa available from today with Air Belgium

Four politicians are also travelling along, including the Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, Wallonia Minister-President Elio Di Rupo, Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort and, Flemish Finance Minister Matthias Diependaele will be replacing Flanders Minister-President Jan Jambon.

While this is the first-ever Belgian state visit to South Africa, it is not King Phillipe's first time in the country, having attended key historical moments such as when Nelson Mandela was sworn in as president in 1994, as well as at his funeral in 2013.

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