The royals have great plans for the visit.
The state visit of Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa to Belgium began on Tuesday. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde received the couple at the Royal Palace in Brussels. As a nice addition, the two heads of state previously celebrated their birthday together. After all the fun, the official state visit finally started yesterday, with of course a grand state banquet to end the day.
Warm welcome
The visit started rainy, but that didn’t spoil the fun. The Belgian royals were waiting for the couple from Luxembourg with umbrellas. Despite the bad weather, the couple received a very warm welcome. In the images we see plenty of happy faces and radiant smiles from both couples. Armed with umbrellas, the rain was stopped, and that was certainly necessary with these beautiful outfits.
Queen Mathilde was dressed from head to toe in dreamy pink Dior. Maria Teresa chose a dark blue dress with a coat designed by Indalia. After the greetings, the Luxembourgish couple was officially received with a ceremony on Place des Palais in Brussels. Afterwards a visit to the Brussels city hall was planned.
State visit day one
The foursome also appeared on the balcony of the town hall. A beautiful moment for Filip and Mathilde in particular, because the couple also stood on this balcony during their wedding day in 1999 to wave to the public for the first time as a married couple. That may have provided some nostalgia!
Together the royals ended the first day with a state banquet in Laeken Castle. For this occasion, the ladies brought out a set of beautiful tiaras. The observant viewer may have noticed that Maria Teresa – in addition to her appropriate Belgian Scroll tiara – is wearing another diadem. The fabulous bracelet on her wrist is the Luxembourg aquamarine bandeau.
Themes and plans
The visit focuses on themes such as sustainable economic development, space, defense and education. Today a visit to Ghent is planned, which will include a visit to North Sea Port and engine builder Anglo Belgian Corporation.
Finally, a visit to Liège is planned on Thursday, where the university will be visited, among other things. The state visit will end that day with a concert by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Luxembourg in Flagey. The Belgian and Luxembourg royals have wonderful days ahead, if you ask us!
Source: Nieuwsblad België, HLN, Blauw Bloed | Image: NL Image
