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]

Originally Posted by 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...

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]

Originally Posted by Cathérine Bergeyck

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

The Red Queen: Elisabeth Of The Belgians

[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)