P. Elisabeth, P. Gabriël, P. Emmanuel and P. Eléonore: News and Pictures Part I

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Here's the thread about Emmanuel's birth and presentation :

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...light=emmanuel

His baptism :

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...05-a-8171.html

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Emmanuel on holiday with the family in Portofino, Italy, January 2006 (Royals)

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

This week princess Mathilde visited the European College in Bruges. Outside local people were waiting for her. A woman said that she thought Emmanuel looks like his mother. Mathilde answered :"Do you think so? I don't!" "He looks a lot like his father, which makes me very happy."

She also said Emmanuel is growing fast and is really becoming "enormous".

[Mette2]

Originally Posted by Cathérine Bergeyck

This week princess Mathilde visited the European College in Bruges. Outside local people were waiting for her. A woman said that she thought Emmanuel looks like his mother. Mathilde answered :"Do you think so? I don't!" "He looks a lot like his father, which makes me very happy."

She also said Emmanuel is growing fast and is really becoming "enormous".

Thank you very much for telling this Cathérine.:) It's so nice to hear comments like these that the royals tell to the crowd, which might not be mentioned in newspapers and magazines. Well, this comment wouldn't be mentioned in any Danish newspapers and magazines that's for sure. But as someone who can't see Belgian news or read Belgian newspapers and magazines (and who doesn't speak Flemish or French either), then it's really great and very much appreciated when such comments are posted. And what a sweet and funny comment it is.:)

[corazon]

nice to see emmanuel again! is a big baby now.

[lisa777]

I think Emanuel and Elizabeth, and Gabriel are such good looking kids. I was looking at some pictures of Phillipe when he was a baby and he and Gabriel look like twins:)

[corazon]

Originally Posted by lisa777

I think Emanuel and Elizabeth, and Gabriel are such good looking kids. I was looking at some pictures of Phillipe when he was a baby and he and Gabriel look like twins:)

you're right, i see elizabeth a lot like her father in some photos.

[Royal Fan]

I Think Gabriel loks alot like his father :)

[photofan]

we will see the children again? i'm looking forward to it!

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Latest family portrait, scanned by Johan.

[mirrjam]

Is Emmanuel not a bit young to miss his mother for six days? I mean; I can imagine, a baby of 4 months old can'[t be apart from his mother so long?!
Mary is carriying christian with her, even if she is away only a day!!

[carlota]

maybe they took emmanuel with them. i think, after 3 children, they know exactly how to manage :) and if the baby will be ok at home with nannies or if it's better to take him with them. all royal mums who were breastfeeding took their children with them: mette marit took ingrid to iceland, maxima took alexia to argentina, mary took christian to germany and letizia took leonor to the palace for the events of juan carlos 30 anniversary as a king to make sure leonor got fed at the right time.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

I'm quite sure they haven't taken Emmanuel with them. These are very busy days, going from one activity and one city to another. Mathilde would hardly have time for the baby. So a nanny would have to stay with him after all. Mathilde's parents look after the children when Philippe and Mathilde are abroad at the same time.Two radical hour changes in a week woudn't do a 4 month old baby a lot of good either I guess...

[mirrjam]

but don't you think you would miss your little baby? when your have a baby you feel a stronger need to be with the little one right? I thougth that was something natural, I know teachers at school, who are not coming on a trip with their group/class (for like 6 days) because they have a baby, and that is the only reason; they can't miss their little one!
I think it is very tough and brave of mathilde to do this, she seems like a mother who wants to take care her children all the time. a lovely and caring mother.

[Alexandria]

I'm sure Mathilde misses all of her children while she is away on these sorts of trips. But as Catherine has said, this trip is not the kind of trip with lots of down time in between activities and events, so she wouldn't be able to spend time with Emmanuel anyways if he came along.

Also, for a baby of Emmanuel's age, travelling can also pose health risks -- the temperature at this time of year is no doubt different between South Africa and Belgium, and being so young Emmanuel may not have developed the proper immunities to aclimate himself yet or to potential viruses that adults could easily fight off.

[Mette2]

I'm certainly no expert on the matter, but isn't it possible that Mathilde won't stay for the full length of the visit to South Africa? When Philippe and Mathilde went to India last year, Mathilde arrived later than Philippe, and I think it's been mentioned on this forum that when they went to Poland and China, Mathilde returned to Belgium a few days before Philippe. Maybe she'll leave earlier this time too? If so, she won't spend too many days away from either of her children.

[sara1981]

i have agree with mijjiam and carlota

but CP Mathilde can handles of her 3 children but she hires nanny to watch her own kids when parents was away to state trips and gala dinner,etc.

CP Mary of Denmark always wanted be 100% mother than no nanny before her son was born and she saying she wanted carry her son Prince Christian and she allowed carry with him to state trips and gala dinner,her own hometown Australia because CP Mary still breast-feed with Prince Christian but i dont blame Mary what she really need it.

mostly royals mothers always wanted bring baby to state trips for wedding,gala dinner,whatever but can allowed newly mother have breast-feeding for baby like CP M-M of Norway and CP Maxima of Netherland always do that.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Emmanuel a few days old

actionpress

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

April 2006, Mathilde holding Emmanuel during a procession of the holy week in Spain (Face to Face - via PurplePlatinum)

[Hannelore]

From Emmanuel's presentation (point de vue)