Royal Family of Belgium Part 2

[GrandDuchess]

Nice pictures, I must say that Queen Paola and Crown Prince Philippe both looked very dashing! She looked very warm and shining today, and he dashing in that suit.

Question: As far as I can see, some of the officials that were guests at the palace are standing in a receiving line in some of the pictures, shaking hands with the royals as they walk in. Why is this? Normally it's the hosts that greets the guests in a receiving line...

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Nice pictures, I must say that Queen Paola and Crown Prince Philippe both looked very dashing! She looked very warm and shining today, and he dashing in that suit.

Question: As far as I can see, some of the officials that were guests at the palace are standing in a receiving line in some of the pictures, shaking hands with the royals as they walk in. Why is this? Normally it's the hosts that greets the guests in a receiving line...

With these official receptions, things go according to protocole. The most important guest guets greeted first. First came archbishop Danneels (an archbishop equals the rank of prince), then the presidents of parliament, then the prime minister, the the vice prime minister etc.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

27/01/2005

King Albert II was present in Auschwitz today at the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

1. with Ukranian president Yushchenko
2. with cardinal Lustiger
3. with Polish president Kwasniewski

 

[GrandDuchess]

With these official receptions, things go according to protocole. The most important guest guets greeted first. First came archbishop Danneels (an archbishop equals the rank of prince), then the presidents of parliament, then the prime minister, the the vice prime minister etc.

Thank you for answering, Cathérine - but I don't think I have put my question clear enough. I was wondering why the guests are standing in a receiving line, shaking hands with the royals as they walk in? The normal procedure is that the hosts greet the guests in a receiving line (the royals lining up, then the guests enter and shake their hands on their way into the room. Sometimes the honorary guests are in the receiving line too)... Perhaps it's just me, but this strikes me as a bit odd. This was in the Royal Palace, right? And the Royal Family were the hosts? Hmm... Does anyone understand what I'm babbling about?

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

more photos of king Albert in Auschwitz

 

[Hannelore]

Brussels 31/ 12/ 2005
Queen Paola attends the concert of Jo Lemaire organized at the Palais des beaux arts for the 100th anniversary of the Councils of Women (CFFB and NVR).

 

[Hannelore]

and two more...

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

a photo of king Albert as a young man

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Old photos of Paola, Albert and their 3 children

 

[Josefine]

are any new state visits planned?

 

[sunny]

You can see this on the official Belgian-website www.monarchie.be
Mathilde goes on the February 20th to Mali!!

 

[Dennism]

Tomorrow is the 71st anniversary of the tragic death of Albert I. More information on him can be found at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_I_of_Belgium

We have a page for his lovely wife and well-known lover of music, Elisabeth at

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

17/02/2005

Today king Albert, queen Paola, queen Fabiola, Prince Philippe & princess Mathilde,princess Astrid & archduke Lorenz attended a mass in memory of the deceased members of the royal family. It's held each year on 17th February, anniversary of king Albert I's death in 1934. Afterwards the RF greeted people who were waiting for them outside.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

More from this mass

 

[Danielle]

Thanks for the photos. Here are some more. From Corbis

 

[sunny]

Have the Royal Family animals? (dogs, horses or others)

 

[pdas1201]

More pics...

Colourpress

 

[pdas1201]

from Seegerpress

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Belgium was founded in 1830, so this year it celebrates it's 175th birthday, and the fact that it's been a federal state for 25 years. This whole year there will be special festivities and exhibitions in Belgium. The king and queen officially opened the 175-25 festivities on 17th February 2005.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

More from the opening of the festivities

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

..................

 

[Danielle]

Thanks Cathérine for the photos. Wow, that is a massive cake. I love how it's decorated. Paola looks very nice, and she seems to be having fun. Was it just Paola and Albert who attended?

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Thanks Cathérine for the photos. Wow, that is a massive cake. I love how it's decorated. Paola looks very nice, and she seems to be having fun. Was it just Paola and Albert who attended?

Yes, only the king and queen.

 

[sunny]

21 February: Albert II does receive George W. Bush in the morning.

The little Georgie!!!

Who send the first picture???

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Young king Baudouin

 

[Danielle]

21 February: Albert II does receive George W. Bush in the morning.

The little Georgie!!!

Who send the first picture???

I know we aren't allowed to talk about politics, but this is just some information regarding President Bush's meeting with King Albert and Queen Paola. I have only selected the parts directly relating to them, and not the rest of his trip.

"The President and Mrs. Bush will depart for Brussels, Belgium on Sunday, February 20th, arriving that evening. The President will start his meetings the next day, Monday, February 21st, paying a courtesy call to his hosts, Their Majesties King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium. The President will then meet with Prime Minister [Guy] Verhofstadt of Belgium, followed by a meeting with NATO Secretary General [Jaap] de Hoop Scheffer."
http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-news+article+storyid-6503-PHPSESSID-a14031ac2766c77036fbc5d5745944d0.html

"On Monday, Mr. Bush meets with King Albert II at the Royal Palace and with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt before giving a speech on trans-Atlantic relations."
http://kutv.com/topstories/topstories_story_050221224.html

 

[Karena]

Young king Baudouin

This is one of the more stylish pictures I've seen. Thanks for posting it!

 

[marezdote]

The Queen and King meeting with President and Mrs. Bush (from getty)
http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/52224828.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DE9A21091711E5AD1EEDE595FFE2F5DC4E7757C85AE85A779B

javascript:OpenChildWindow('http://...lbars=yes,status=no,titlebar=no,toolbar=no');

 

[Lyonnaise]

Polfoto 21-02-2005 U.S. President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush are welcomed by King Albert II of Belgium, right, and Queen Paola, far left, at the palace office in Brussels, Monday, Feb. 21, 2005. President Bush will later meet with European government leaders as he seeks to repair rocky relations allies embittered by the Iraq war and frustrated that the White House has often ignored their views during his presidency.

 

[Danielle]

Thanks everyone for the photos. Here are a few more from Belga and Getty Images. Sorry if some of them have been posted.