Royal Family of Belgium: Currents Events, Part 3

[mandyy]

At "Te Deum" mass at Saint Gudule Cathedral in Brussels November 15, 2005 in honour of King's Day
Photos from Newscom

 

[Maxie]

In the Catholic Church we used to turn our chairs at a regular times during the mass, to pray. Nowadays, it's not common to do so anymore. But Philippe and Mathilde were kneeling at their marriagemass. Ordinary people just turn their chair, royal highnesses have an extra chair in front of them. I think it's only been done on very official occasions.

Well, here in Holland we're still kneeling during some parts of the Catholic mass. But we don't have chairs we have to turn (though I know them, seen them several times). We sit on benches and in front of them there a small lower little kind of mini-bench on which we can kneel. I'm sure there's a better way to describe it, but well... my english!

Thanks to all who posted the lovely pictures by the way!

 

[purple_platinum]

This year's Te Deum certainly remind Philippe & Laurent of back in the old days.
when Philippe haven't met Mathilde...
and when Laurent haven't met Claire...
this year's event seem quite somber, it would be great if we can see mathilde & claire again sometime soon...

 

[fanletizia]

Princess Mathilde (L) and King Albert II of Belgium (C) pose with Mali's President Amadou Toumani Toure prior to having an official dinner, 16 November 2005, at the Royal Castle of Laken / Laeken, near Brussels. The President of Mali is in Belgium for a 3-day official visit.

From getty and anp

 

[pollyemma]

what is she wearing...

 

[purple_platinum]

Princess Mathilde (L) and King Albert II of Belgium (C) pose with Mali's President Amadou Toumani Toure prior to having an official dinner, 16 November 2005, at the Royal Castle of Laken / Laeken, near Brussels. The President of Mali is in Belgium for a 3-day official visit.

From getty and anp

well, mathilde looks like she's still pregnant. i hope to see more photos so we can get a better look at her on her 1st engagement after giving birth to prince emmanuel.
probably the reason mathilde is here is because she visited Mali earlier this year & it's a country that affect her.

3 more photos from belgapic :

 

[purple_platinum]

2 more from ap via yahoo :
(L-R) Belgium's Princess Mathilde, Mali's President Amadou Toumani Toure, Belgium's King Albert II, Mali's first lady Toure Lobo Traore and Prince Philippe pose for an official photo at the Laeken Royal Palace in Brussels November 16, 2005. Toure is on a three-day official visit to Belgium

ps. apparently, before belgium, the president visited luxembourg

 

[Emily]

Wonderful to see Mathilde and her serenity again!! Thank you for the pictures. I think she looks terrific -- maybe some women recover their pre-pregnancy shape in 3 weeks and good for them as long as it's done healthfully, but the majority of women take more time and especially after three children!

 

[martha-louise]

To be honest, yes mathilde is a beautifull woman, but I don't think she looks terrific on this occasion. Not only her belly, that's quite normal, what can you have against it. But in her face, she's not jet shining like before. Maybe the little Emmanuel keeps screaming all night long, and when the baby finally gets asleep, the other two ask all attention... Children are so lovely, but not always easy

 

[Mette2]

Thank you for the pictures from today. It's great to see Mathilde again. I think she looks really good, and I like her outfit.

 

[pollyemma]

Thank you for the pictures from today. It's great to see Mathilde again. I think she looks really good, and I like her outfit.

the outfit's nice but she needs to improve her posture.

 

[Hannelore]

I don't agree about her posture. When I see her on tv, I'm always struck by how elegant she is. These pics aren't the best quality, and yes, she could be standing in a strange way for a few seconds or so...you can't tell too much from a few pics.

I agree with Martha Louise, it's not yet the radiant Mathilde. The combination of the trousers, jacket and pulled back hair gives her a bit of a stern expression, and she looks tired too. So, a normal mother really

Please give her a bit of time to get back to her normal shape. This is very normal, any mother can tell you.

Very nice that she was present too. She's become very intrested in Mali since she visited it at the beginning of this year, on a humanitarian Belgian mission and as Unicef representant. She already met the president back then, and had discussions with him.

 

[Marengo]

She visited the country as a UN ambassadress for the year of micro credit, if I am correct?

 

[pollyemma]

I don't agree about her posture. When I see her on tv, I'm always struck by how elegant she is. These pics aren't the best quality, and yes, she could be standing in a strange way for a few seconds or so...you can't tell too much from a few pics.
.

I've seen her on tv very often. i guess she moves beautifully but her shoulders are always drooping forward.

I have this uncontrollable urge to reach out and quickly straighten them.

 

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Anyone know why the King, The Crown Prince and Princess were there at the meeting with the President where was Queen Paola though?

​

 

[fanletizia]

Queen Paola of Belgium visits the social defence house "Les Maronniers", Tuesday 22 November 2005, in Tournai

From belga

 

[pollyemma]

Queen Paola of Belgium visits the social defence house "Les Maronniers", Tuesday 22 November 2005, in Tournai

From belga

I cant remember the last time I saw Paola smiling...

 

[Layla1971]

I cant remember the last time I saw Paola smiling...

Yeah! Why is that?

 

[martha-louise]

I think its because she is concentrating on what people tell her. Certainly when she's in Flanders, she doesn''t always understand everything. And she has never been that type of princess who is smiling all the time. When she's bored, she looks bored, when she's compassioned, she cries, when it's fun, she laughs. It's just her way of behaving i guess. I like that pureness

 

[Layla1971]

I think its because she is concentrating on what people tell her. Certainly when she's in Flanders, she doesn''t always understand everything. And she has never been that type of princess who is smiling all the time. When she's bored, she looks bored, when she's compassioned, she cries, when it's fun, she laughs. It's just her way of behaving i guess. I like that pureness

I don't know to much about her, but if she has the emotion to fit the occassion, then I respect that kind of honesty. She doesn't seem to be putting on an act - which is what I prefer! Mistakes and all, I prefer a princess/queen who is dignified but also not afraid to be herself.

 

[purple_platinum]

From Belga.

King's Feast November 15th 2005: A reception at the Parliament in Brussels.

1 more from corbis :



From left to right (Front row): Prince Laurent, Prince Philippe, Queen Fabiola, Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz of Belgium pose for a family picture during a reception at the Parliament in Brussels to celebrate the King's Feast. Senate chairwoman Anne-Marie Lizin, Chamber Chairman Herman De Croo and Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt are also present.

 

[Hannelore]

She visited the country as a UN ambassadress for the year of micro credit, if I am correct?

That's right, she was there as Unicef microcredit ambassador earlier this year.

 

[Hannelore]

Albert & paola at the final celebration of the 175/25 year.

Belga.

 

[fanletizia]

King Albert received to President of Burundi

from terra and anp

 

[Sancia]

Their majesties are now the happy grand-parents of 11.

 

[Alexandria]

I have all the images and comments about tonight's concert to the Belgian Christmas thread in A Royal Holiday.

 

[Royal Fan]

God Bless the King & Queen on the birth of their Grandsons My Congratulations to them and all the Royal Family

Merry Christmas Your Majesties and to your Families as well and to all on this board!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[fanletizia]

he King, the Queen, Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde, Princess Astrid attend the solemn service which was celebrated with the memory of SAR the Grand-Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg,
Tuesday 10 January 2006 on 17.30 H at the Cathedral of Saint-Michel-and-Gudule.


Images from seeger

 

[purple_platinum]

where is Laurent & Claire?
did they cancel this event?

 

[Sancia]

where is Laurent & Claire?
did they cancel this event?

Maybe the kinder were "in need" of their parents to improve their health.