Crown Prince Philippe and Crown Princess Mathilde: July 2004 - October 2004

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

12-09-2004 Prince Philip lays a wreath during a liberation ceremony at the Canadian war cemetary in Adegem, Belgium.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

13/09/2004: crown prince Philippe was present at an OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) conference on tolerance and the fight against racism, xenophobia and discrimination in Brussels. He held a speech.In his speech he said that he believes the government can and should do something against the growing racism in Europe, and that the education at school plays an important role in this as well.There were representants of the 55 OSCE member states, and also speakers who represent different religions.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Each year, on the 4th of December (wedding date of Philippe & Mathilde), the duchess of Brabant hands out a prize that bears her name. The prize (9.000 € -and attention in the press!-) goes to an asociation/initiative that does something to help vulnerable people in our society.

The previous 3 years (2001-2003), attention has been given to children, Mathilde has anounced that the next 3 years (2004-2007) she would like to focus on women, and more specific: women in a multicultural society.

The princess Mathilde prize 2002 focused on children aged from 6 to 14, and the theme was: children and loss: losing a loved one, losing one's own capacities, losing affection.
69 files were handed in, and the prize went to "kind en verlies", an asociation that works with children who lave lost a loved one.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

The prize in 2003 focused on children aged from 14-18, and the theme was: young people and violence.

67 files were handed in, the winner was the asociation JONG that helps and acompanies adolescents who go through a diffiult time.

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[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Pictures from the visit they made to the village La Roche en Ardenne, July 2004.

 

[Hannelore]

Today, the dukes are in Greece to attend the paralympics, I hope we gat to see some pictures

 

[Hannelore]

Mathilde at a work meeting, I don't know when these pictures were taken.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Some pictures of Mathilde during the economic mission to the United Arab Emirates.

 

[lucys]

Any photos of them at the paralympics games?

 

[USCtrojan]

Such a beautiful couple, and so much in love. I love to see photos of them together.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

The Italian state visit to Belgium a few years ago.

 

[Hannelore]

1,2) Filip and Mathilde in Gent, at a flower show in 2000. The flowers that Mathilde is holding and smelling were newly created azaleas, that received the name "Mathilde", in honor of...

3,4,5,6) New year's reception at the royal palace. 2000. It was a reception for the diplomats.

 

[Hannelore]

I'll just at once continue...Filip and Mathilde at the new year's reception for the diplomatic corps in 2001.

I think the duchess looked divine, also thanks to her outfit, designed by Olivier Strelli.

 

[Hannelore]

Mathilde's first solo-mission abroad was in 2002, when she went to the United Nations top conference on children's rights, together with a group of Belgian youngsters.

They also visited Ellis Island and ground zero.

 

[Hannelore]

Filip and Mathilde voting (2000). And queueing, like everybody else!

 

[ILoveCristina]

Yes, they also voted this year (I think). Only the King & Queen don't vote.

 

[Martine]

pictures from this week's "point de vue" magazine

 

[Martine]

more pics from point de vue

 

[Hannelore]

BEAUTIFUL pictures, Martine

They're such a beautiful family, us Belgians are really lucky!!!

 

[Martine]

yeh they are really a beautiful family I love this kind of pics, like the ones of Phillip playing with Elisabeth...It shows who he really is...i think Phillip is still misunderstood sometimes, it's a shame cause i think he's a really nice and honnest man

 

[DKgirls]

Thank you so much for all of those lovely pictures, they were all awesome!!!
They really look like a very happy family

 

[Hannelore]

yeh they are really a beautiful family I love this kind of pics, like the ones of Phillip playing with Elisabeth...It shows who he really is...i think Phillip is still misunderstood sometimes, it's a shame cause i think he's a really nice and honnest man

Oh I completely agree with you. He's not only a wonderful husband and father, but also a very charming and intelligent man, very modest as well.

I often have the feeling that people who try to paint him off as an idiot are people who hate Belgium, and would rather live in an independant Flemish state (or anything else of course).

It's like Philippe once said himself in an interview (about a language issue): "people who pretend Mathilde and I don't speak Dutch, are people who hate our country."

 

[Mette2]

Thank you very much for the wonderful pictures of a very lovely and beautiful family.

Not being Belgian myself I don't know that much about the Royal Family or Belgium itself (so my opinion might not count for much), but from the few things I've read about Philippe on the internet it seems to me that he has all the qualities to make a great king. I'm quite sure he'll prove everyone who doubts him wrong.

Yes, you Belgians are indeed lucky.

 

[Gabriella]

Great photos! They really are a beautiful family, aren't they? I especially love the one of Elisabeth sitting in Philippe's lap at his desk and the one of Mathilde sort of laying down holding Elisabeth in her arms. Adorable.

 

[Alexandria]

Thank you so much Martine for scanning all the photos; they are much appreciated.

More and more I think Gabriel also resembles Phillippe, and not just Elisabeth -- who is the spitting image of her father! Although I can see touches of Astrid/Amedeo in Gabriel, too.

I love more casual, non-posed feel of these pictures. My favourite from the series has to be the one of Elisabeth with Mathilde on the porch chair.

 

[Mandy]

Beautiful pictures Martine. Thanks for sharing. Philippe and Mathilde should be very proud of their two lovely children.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

These pictures are part of a book on Philippe and Mathilde, with many more pictures in it:


"Philippe et Mathilde"
Olivier Polet & Marcel Leroy
Polet Photo Productions

140 pages, 44 €.


You should be able to find it at fnac.com (if not now, then certainly in a while).

 

[ILoveCristina]

These are beautiful photos!! I just love the one wirh Elisabeth and Mathilde on the chair!! It is so cute! They form such a nice family...

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

The duchess of Brabant will preside a Belgian mission to Mali next month, from 18-20 October 2004.



It will be a humanitarian mission, with attention for elementary education and health care,especially when it comes to women and children.

There will also be contacts with traditional chefs and representatnts of minorities. In February of this year Mathilde already presided a humanitarian mission to Niger, as a Unicef amabassador. It focused on the health and education for young girls/women.

 

[Martine]

Oh I completely agree with you. He's not only a wonderful husband and father, but also a very charming and intelligent man, very modest as well.

I often have the feeling that people who try to paint him off as an idiot are people who hate Belgium, and would rather live in an independant Flemish state (or anything else of course).

It's like Philippe once said himself in an interview (about a language issue): "people who pretend Mathilde and I don't speak Dutch, are people who hate our country."

yeh you are right about it. remember that day when he got something (i think it was a degree in something) at the university in Leuven? i though that was really sad...
I personally think a flemish state wouldn't work. (and organizing the olympics will certainly not work (ok this O.T) )
I think the royal family does a great job for our country. There are a lot of people who only now Belgium because of the royal family...
To me there's no doubt that Phillip will be a good king!