Crown Prince Phillippe and Crown Princess Mathilde: Current Events Part 11

[adelaide]

Very interesting thread;I'm convinced by this princely team. They are making a good work ( obviously as quiet all princely team of reigning family in Europe, I can't get an opinion on the else because Idon't know nothing about them )

An other sample of a marvellous synergy.

[Regina]

Thank you, Cathérine, for the Translation and for the pics ou posted. I just love Mathilde's boots, very stylish!!

[Regina]

About the interview, this is my favourit part:

Should the members of the royal family be stars of the media?
Most people that are stars have wanted it themselves. That’s not our role. We have to be at the service of society. And it’s for that goal we have to communicate, in the best possible way.

[selminha]

Tomorrow we go to see Mathilde that good!!!!!!

[Snoepy]

aren't there any pictures yet???

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Originally Posted by Snoepy

aren't there any pictures yet???

Belga has closed its access for visitors, so we probably won't be seeing a lot/any of pictures from this visit.

[crisiñaki]

Originally Posted by Cathérine Bergeyck

Belga has closed its access for visitors, so we probably won't be seeing a lot/any of pictures from this visit.

NOOO! :(
Well, thanks for your invaluable help Cathérine!

[Emily]

Agh -- darn! I was looking forward to seeing some! Yes, I also appreciate the information, Catherine!

[Maxie]

Oh, I hate it when agencies do that! Especially since it's Belga, a major source for our pics of the BRF. Such a pity! :(

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Some changes at Belgian court:

Because the grandmarchall Frank De Coninck has accepted a new diplomatic post (Belgian ambassador in the Vatican), various changes will be made.

A lot of people change posts, I'll just sum up what concerns Philippe & Mathilde:

Philippe

One of his advisors, Didier Nagant de Deuxchaisnes is replaced by another person, I don't know who though. He's only worked for Philippe 2 years (usually these functions last about 4 years).

Mathilde

Mathilde's only advisor, Machteld Fostier, has now been working with her for 6,5 years, which is very long for such a post. Before Mme Fostier (46) started as Mathilde's advisor, she was a topdiplomate working for the UN in Geneva, mostly for human rights and disarming. Machteld Fostier will be replaced by Anick Van Calster, who previously was the economic advisor of the palace.

[Emily]

Thank you Catherine. Are there pictures of the two women? I would imagine Mathilde must have had a fruitful relationship with Machteld for them to have worked together for so long. Do you know anything about the personality of Anick?

[crisiñaki]

Originally Posted by Cathérine Bergeyck

Some changes at Belgian court:

Philippe

One of his advisors, Didier Nagant de Deuxchaisnes is replaced by another person, I don't know who though. He's only worked for Philippe 2 years (usually these functions last about 4 years).

Do you think the commentaries on the South Africa mission have anything to do with that?

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

No, every few years this happens, it was already foreseen before the economic mission, and once again: a large majority of the people participating in the mission were very pleased with it's results - and with the prince. Everything he does is criticized by a Flemish minority who wants to break up Belgium, and Philippe IS Belgium.

[pdas1201]

All posts pertaining to the visit to the Pope have been moved to Belgian Royal Family Current Events Thread http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f29/royal-family-belgium-current-events-part-5-a-9153.html

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Originally Posted by Emily

Thank you Catherine. Are there pictures of the two women? I would imagine Mathilde must have had a fruitful relationship with Machteld for them to have worked together for so long. Do you know anything about the personality of Anick?

I know very little about either of them. In the documentary on Ph & M there were parts of Mathilde working and having meetings in her office in the palace, where Machteld Fostier was also present. Mathilde always called her "Madame" (or "mevrouw" in Dutch :)), very respectful. But at the same time they must have been friends. Where ever Mathilde goes, Machteld always follows a few steps behind and is present with her at conferences and meetings. I've often seen them discreetly smiling at each other.

Here's a photo of Mrs Fostier

the blond woman in the back:

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...2&d=1111172239

The only thing I could find about Anick Van Calster is that she's worked as first secretary at the Belgian embassy in Beirut, and is also involved in human rights.

[Emily]

OK -- I think I know who she is -- a rather petite woman? Thanks, too, for the information on Anick. Do you think Mathilde's interests will be influenced by Anick or that Mathilde's interests and travels will essentially be the same?

[alexandresylvie]

Good Short story(Piece of news): the images of Belga returned.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Originally Posted by alexandresylvie

Good Short story(Piece of news): the images of Belga returned.

Thank you for mentioning it! Let's hope we'll still have access to them for a long time!

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Last week princess Mathilde visited the Solvay business school in Brussels where she met foreign students and talked about microfinance in their homecountries.

You can see a video here, there are also good images of Mathilde's advisor.

("bekijk deel 1", at 4:10)

http://www.vtm.be/tv/index_programma...multimedia.htm

[selminha]

Thank you very much for the video, Cathérine.