The Belgian Royal Family has had a busy 2024. With King Philippe and Queen Mathilde carrying out numerous engagements and State Visits and their children pushing forward on their chosen paths, they have had a lot to celebrate.
Prince Gabriel attends his first State Dinner
The 21 year old Belgian prince and second child of the Belgian King and Queen attended his first State Dinner in October. Since August, he has been in France on exchange from the Royal Military Academy studying Geopolitics.
His parents were carrying out a State Visit to France and he was able to join them for his first State Dinner.
The 2024 Christmas Concert at the Royal Palace
The annual Christmas concert is a beloved tradition for the Belgian Royal Family. Each December they host a concert of classical music and carols at the Royal Palace that is recorded and broadcast on Christmas Day.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were joined by Princess Elisabeth and Princess Eleonore. All three royal women chose festive gowns for the occasion, with Mathilde wearing a bright red Natan creation, Elisabeth a burgundy velvet gown from Natan, and Eleonore in a silver Lauren Ralph Lauren gown.
Queen Mathilde joins Queen Camilla for International Women’s Day
In March, Queen Mathilde joined Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace for an International Women’s Day event. They attended a Women of the World (WOW) event and were able to speak to WOW staff members helping deliver programming to young women.
The two queens have clearly struck up a friendship, as Mathilde also shared her book recommendations in November for Queen Camilla’s online book club.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde celebrate silver wedding anniversary
On 4 December, Philippe and Mathilde celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary privately.
The couple released two new portraits to mark the occasion with Queen Mathilde in bridal white for this special anniversary.
The Belgian Royal Family takes in Euro 2024
King Philippe, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eleonore headed to Germany to see the Belgian national side take on Romania in the group stage of Euro 2024.
They happily cheered on the Red Devils to a victory, though the team went out early, only making the final 16.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attend the re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral
In early December 2024, the Belgian King and Queen attended the official inauguration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. After five years of restorative work following a devastating fire in April 2019, the cathedral is once again open.
The royal couple joined world leaders and royals for the ceremony, including French President Emmanuel Macron, the Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Albert of Monaco. And they were warmly greeted by President elect of the United States, Donald Trump, as he was introduced to all the royals on his arrival at the cathedral.
Belgian royal kids tackle Paris for the Olympics
While King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended the Paris Olympics and enjoyed the Opening Ceremony, it was fantastic to see their four children enjoying the Games together. Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eleonore spent several days in Paris together, taking in many events throughout the games. They were also able to meet with Belgian athletes and congratulate them on their performances.
Although they are all pursuing their own paths right now, it was wonderful to see them together again.
Queen Mathilde turns to Dior Christian Dior for State Visit to France
Although the Belgian queen often looks to Natan for her wardrobe, she channeled the incredible Christian Dior for the October state visit to France. She wore a beautiful berry coloured suit reminiscent of Dior’s “Bar Suit”, the house’s current imagining of Dior’s New Look. She finished her day look off with a coordinating Lady Dior handbag before wearing another Dior look for the State Dinner.
For the evening, Mathilde wore a couture Dior gown, another stunning look. While she always looks elegant, Queen Mathilde has elevated her style game.
Pope Francis II visits Belgium
In September, Pope Francis II visited Belgium. The belgian Royal Family received him privately and met with him. Later in the visit, the Pope gave a public address that several family members attended. However, it was King Philippe’s address that grabbed headlines.
In a speech that he gave at the Castle of Laeken, the Belgian King criticised the Papacy for its inaction and lack of speed in response to an ever-growing abuse crisis in the Catholic church, saying ”It has taken far too long for their cries to be heard and acknowledged. It has taken far too long to begin looking for ways to “repair” the irreparable.”
Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant begins graduate school at Harvard University
Not only did the heir to the Belgian throne graduate from Oxford University with a degree in history and policy in July 2024, she began graduate school at another of the world’s leading universities. Princess Elisabeth began her studies at Harvard University in August.
She will be studying a two year Masters in Public Policy degree in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The intelligent and dedicated Duchess of Brabant is showing that she is serious about her future and is continuing to take bold steps forward.
