Crown Prince Philippe and Crown Princess Mathilde Current Events: Dec 2004-Mar 2005

[Hannelore]

Filip and Mathilde visiting the city Turnhout in Flanders

[Hannelore]

Originally Posted by Hannelore

Filip and Mathilde visiting the city Turnhout in Flanders

Another visit to the same city

[Hannelore]

New year's reception for ambassadors

[Hannelore]

cycling through Brussels on a carfree day

[Hannelore]

On December 18th, 2004, Paola, Astrid, Mathilde and Claire were present at the family info day of the Belgian military. It was a family day for the wives and children of Belgian soldiers who are on mission in the Balkans and in Afghanistan.

[Hannelore]

and more photos...

[Hannelore]

and a few more....

[paulette]

Of all the royal families, what I like on the Belgian Royal Family is that their royal ladies often appear at royal functions together and work cooperatively. Unlike in other royal families wherein the chances are slight that the wives of the princes would attend some royal tasks together. (except on bdays, funerals and etc of a family member)

Just like the recent activity they attended, CP Mathilde was there together with Queen Paola, Princess Claire and Princess Astrid.

[Guess Who]

Thankx for the pictures.She looked great in the orange outfit.

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Yes,she really looks nice and elegant in these pics.
She already finished this year's engagements.We look foward to her engagements next year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Philippe and Mathilde.

[Hannelore]

There's been a sounding to find out wether the Belgians think prince Filip will make a good king: 73% said yes.

They didn't ask me of course :)

It's a good result I think.

[Hannelore]

Originally Posted by HMQueenElizabethII

Yes,she really looks nice and elegant in these pics.
She already finished this year's engagements.We look foward to her engagements next year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Philippe and Mathilde.

Same from me :)

We'll see Mathilde and Filip soon enough again, with a whole list of new years receptions. They've been very busy, and 2005 will be very busy year again, with a.o. an economic mission to India and Mathilde's humanitarian mission to Mali.

[Lyonnaise]

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN: Crown Prince Phillippe of Belgium (L) shakes hands with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, 24 December 2004. Karzai thanked the Prince for his country's support and their military presence under the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Afghanistan.

[Hannelore]

Filip and Mathilde both made a beautifull gesture on christmas eve.

Filip visited the Belgian troups in Afghanistan who have to celebrate christmas far from home without their families. He stayed for a few hours and had dinner with them. He also had a meeting with president Kharzai and with ex-king Zaher Shah of Afghanistan.

Mathilde stayed in Belgium and had her christmas dinner with the poor and homeless in the Carolus Borromeus church in Antwerp.

[Emily]

Yes, indeed, beautiful gestures..and from my point of view, not at all surprising from this lovely couple.

[Hannelore]

On January 15th, Filip and Mathilde will be present at a ballet performance in Turnhout.

Later in the year there will be economic missions to Japan and India.

In the beginning of the year (February?), Mathilde will preside (as Unicef ambassador) a Belgian humanitarian mission to Mali.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Prince Philippe on Christmas eve, with the Belgian soldiers in Afghanistan.

Belgian Crown Prince Philippe and Defence Minister Andre Flahaut pay a visit to Belgian soldiers in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Christmas evening, Friday 24 December 2004

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Mathilde spends christmas with the underpriviledged

About 550 persons had gathered in the baroque Carolus Borromeus church in Antwerp for a free meal offered by the St Egidius community, like each year on christmas eve. On the menu were tomatoesoup, chicken with vegetables and coffee and pie.

Princess Mathilde arrived unanounced at 19h15. She stayed untill the end of the feast (21h00). She talked to the homeless, had soup with them and a glass of wine.

Jan De Volder, spokesman of the St Egidius community said "Mathilde knew about our project and showed a lot of interest, that's why she decided to pass by herself this time."

video:

http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_m...lde/index.html

[ILoveCristina]

She is really beautiful!!

[Hannelore]

Yes, Filip's visit was a total surprise, it wasn't announced. But he only stayed for christmas evening, not longer!