A double dose of glamour!
Great news from our Benelux colleagues! In April, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa will visit Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
Good neighbors
As monarchs of two neighboring countries, it is not very surprising that Henri and Philip regularly visit each other. For example, we saw the grand ducal couple visit Brussels last September, as part of an annual informal summit of German-speaking countries.
Moreover, we do not have to search very deeply in the archives for the latest state visit: Filip and his Mathilde visited Luxembourg in 2019, where this beautiful snapshot was taken:
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And now another state visit is planned! The Luxembourg royals will visit Belgium from April 16 to 18.
Moreover, the bond between Henri and Filip goes a little further than simply good neighbors and cheerful colleagues. The two are also first cousins! It works like this: the sister of Philip’s father, the late Princess Joséphine-Charlotte, married the Luxembourg Grand Duke Jean, Henri’s father.
Program
In a slick post on social media, the Belgians share approximately what is planned.
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The Luxembourg delegation will be welcomed to Belgium on Tuesday, April 16, and will visit the cities of Brussels, Ghent and Liège, among others. Naturally, we also expect a grand state banquet and an equally glamorous return the following evening.
Four monarchs, two countries
Attentive royalty watchers will also be busy in the week of the Luxembourg state visit. This visit coincides with Spain’s state visit to the Netherlands. King Felipe and Queen Letizia will visit the Netherlands on April 16 and 17. It is the first time since 2001 that the Spanish royals have paid a state visit to their Orange colleagues.
Due to the coincidental timing of these two state visits, it could only be that we will see two state banquets on April 16. A double dose of glamor in the Benelux? We are already excited!
Source: Cour Grand Ducale, Royal House | Image: NL Image
