King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium are on their first State Visit to France this week, at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron, following the French State Visit to Belgium in 2018.
After travelling from Brussels by train, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were officially received by President and Mrs. Macron with a Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying at the Arc de Triomphe, before a bilateral meeting with President Macron and the First Lady at the Elysée Palace.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde had lunch with the new Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, at Matignon before King Philippe went to the Hôtel des Invalides to discuss defense, while Queen Mathilde accompanied First Lady Brigitte Macron to the Palais Garnier, where the collaboration between the Paris Opera and the La Monnaie opera in Brussels was highlighted.
In the evening, President Macron and the First Lady hosted a State Dinner for King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium at the Élysée Palace in Paris, which was also attended by Prince Gabriel, who is currently studying in France with the Erasmus programme for a couple of months.
Both the King and President gave speeches:
Mr President,
The Queen and I are delighted to be here with you in Paris, six years after your State Visit to Belgium. We have very fond memories of that.
Your invitation today is an excellent opportunity to strengthen and raise a glass to the very close ties between France and Belgium. These ties are all the more important at a time when the world seems to be increasingly fragmenting.
In this world, where uncertainty reigns everywhere, I want to plead for us to show a greater sense of responsibility towards everyone. ‘Fate is no one, responsibility is someone’, wrote Paul Ricoeur, that great philosopher who meant so much to you and who taught in Leuven. Today more than ever, we must take our fate into our own hands and fully assume our role in the reorganization of the world.
Mr President, I thank you for the friendship between our two peoples that you hold in such high regard. In this spirit of friendship, I ask you, ladies and gentlemen, to raise your glasses to the health of the President and Mrs Macron.
Queen Mathilde wore new Earrings, and her Diamond Butterfly Brooch in her hair instead of a Tiara.
Nine Provinces Tiara
Laurel Wreath Tiara
Wolfers Necklace Tiara
Queen Elisabeth’s Diamond Bandeau
Diamond Fringe Earrings
Wedding Earrings
Diamond Scroll Earrings
Tunisian Parure
Aquamarine Earrings
Diamond Earrings
Diamond Waterfall Brooch
Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Diamond Floral Bracelet
