Philippe & Mathilde in South Africa; March 11-13, 2006

[Larzen]

i hate to be the one to say it but did Mathilde forget to wash her hair this morning?

I dont know, but she deffently should have chosen some trousers (or a skirt) that does not crease as much as linnen pants do.

Its good to see Nelson Mandela but he is getting very old and frail now He seems to like to hold on to blond Princesses though (ANB)

some pictures from previous days by Olivier Polet for AP

http://img131.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=35580_00256104000002.jpghttp://img131.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=35580_00256104000002.jpg

 

[bbb]

"Close the Gap" is a project that provides second hand computers to children from twonships. it are computers from Belgian enterprises that are mended and donated to South Africa, this way the poor also get a chance to have a more modern and better education. Desmond Tutu asked princess Mathilde to become protector of the project. When they met Philippe told Tutu it was a great honor for them to be able to meet him.

thanks so much for the information, what a great organization. They are such a lovely couple it makes me smile just looking at them. I believe she's one of the most elegant ladies i've ever seen- in all circumstances, wearing a ball gown or in pants with orphan children, just beautiful.

 

[Emmily]

more from yesterday:

Visit of the South African Marine Transport Academy and visit of Lawhill House with explanation given by the boarder students.

Eastnews

I would love to know what the Prince is reacting to in the far right picture, top row! He looks like he's very excited about whatever it is he's seeing. Anyone know?

 

[mandyy]

Article from HELLO
http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2006/03/15/mathildephilippe/

 

[purple_platinum]

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium during a walk on the Marina of Cape Town, Sunday 12 March 2006, at the start of a six-day visit in the country along with a Belgian economic mission.

more pictures from facetoface :

 

[purple_platinum]

also from facetoface

 

[purple_platinum]

and some more from facetoface

 

[purple_platinum]

March 15, 2006
Prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde visit Diamond Factory in Johannesburg

(from facetoface)

 

[purple_platinum]

more from facetoface of the visit to diamond factory (march 15, 2006)

 

[selminha]

Thank you Purle Platinum, the pictures are so beautiful. Mathilde is very pretty and elegant!!!

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Thanks Jess & Larzen, great photos!

Here are some more from Belga. They visited a special project where young black girls get a training to become professional diamond workers. Diamond is an important export product of Belgium, with Antwerp as most important diamond trading city in the world.

and one more of Philippe (belga)

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Mathilde & Philippe had a private conversation with Nelson Mandela during 30 minutes, they said they were very impressed, and that they look up to him a lot .

They've met a lot of impressive personalities in the last few days: Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan and now Nelson Mandela!

 

[johann]

Hmmm seems that Philippe got some inspiration – since diamonds are rare in belgiums royal family...
Judging from Philippe`s constant smile, they sure had a great time.
Source: Belga

 

[Mette2]

Thank you to everyone who posted these wonderful and beautiful pictures, and for all the information. It's great that there are so many pictures from each visit they've made. I agree that the blue purse the other day was not a good choice. And I hope to see them at a gala dinner, and for an equally beautiful dress like the one Mathilde wore in China.

 

[Larzen]

Here is some pictures from a reception, Will there be a gala event later or is this it?? the jacket does not flatter her IMO and again pants...
By Facetoface






By Olivier Polet for AP

 

[pdas1201]

Indeed, the jacket doesn't flatter her, although I like what I see of the top--would have liked to see more. Hair, as usual very well done.

I wish Mathilde would wear more dresses/skirts and not too many trousers. Although utilitarian, they don't do much for her figure, which is tremendous. I understand that this is due to her dislike of her legs, a pity, for I think she has wonderful legs and should show them off.

 

[Maxie]

Hmmm seems that Philippe got some inspiration – since diamonds are rare in belgiums royal familiy...

Filip should think of getting a new tiara for his wife! That would be nice!

 

[martha-louise]

Look at the prince, I love to see him laughing! Were is the time when we harldy could notice a little smile. With Mathilde on his side he has become so much more relax and certainly happier. Lovely couple!

(I think this isn't going to be the best vestimental mission for Mathilde.)

 

[maxima88]

Is it just me or.. but it looks like Mathilde has got a little bump... i can't believe that she is pregnant again but who know... normally she is really slim..

 

[seto]

May be she hasn't lost all of the weight from her last pregnancy.

 

[johann]

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA: Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium visit the NCP Alcohols / Alcofinance plant in Durban and they inogurate new infrastructures, Thursday 16 March 2006, in South Africa. BELGA PHOTO

 

[carlota]

i don't think mathilde is fat (or pregnant) at all, she looks just the way it is. mathilde is a big woman, she is tall, big hands, big musculature, and these type of women tend to look bigger and older than they are sometimes. she however transmits a lot more than that... she transmits a lot of happy, calm and sympathetic things. according to the clothes, i think she was appropiate all the times. i love to see her in skirts. it looks a lot better on her than trousers, since she is tall, and with long legs, skirts look really good.

 

[selminha]

I agree, Carlota. She is elegant and beautiful, as always.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Is this voyage anything more than looking at mathilde's tummy? Give her a break, she's had 3 children in 5 years!

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

from SABC news

Belgian prince offers support for Asgisa
March 12, 2006, 15:00

A high-powered Belgian delegation is in the country to offer support to the government's Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (Asgisa) and its quest to halve poverty and unemployment by 2014. Prince Phillipe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium arrived in Cape Town this morning.

Prince Phillipe is leading a high profile Belgian economic delegation of CEOs of close to 70 companies and senior trade officials.

The Belgians are in South Africa to strengthen the trade and political relations between the two countries. Belgium is currently one of South Africa's biggest trade partners with exports totalling R7.2 billion last year alone and imports from Belgium stood at R3.8 billion.

The focus of the five-day visit will be around the ports, railways and energy sectors. There will be discussions on training South Africans in ports management, diamond beneficiation and helping the Democratic Republic of Congo to prepare for its historic elections later this month.

 

[martha-louise]

Is this voyage anything more than looking at mathilde's tummy? Give her a break, she's had 3 children in 5 years!

I agree with you Cathérine. We can be glad she is such a wonderful princess, mother and wife. She's so near to perfect that it isn't right of us to judge her on a little tummy.
And if she will be pregnancy-tummy we will never know it before the 3-4th month. So don't waste your time by wondering if...

 

[Mette2]

Pictures from Belga.

Philippe and Mathilde in Johannesburg visiting the NCP Alcohols/Alcofinance plant in Durban on March 16th.

 

[Mette2]

Pictures from Belga.

Philippe and Mathilde at a diamond dinner in the Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg on March 16th.

Love Philippe's expression in the 4th picture.

 

[crisiñaki]

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=232942&d=1142563712

Phillippe looks so distinguished in this pic

 

[LadyS]

I think they are really a lovely couple. I didn't know much about them until I joined this board.

They are affectionate towards each other in public which can be rare for a royal couple but is very refreshing to see. I think Mathilde is a "touchy" person and maybe has brought Phillipe out of his shell.

On the subject of her outfits and stomache this visit, I think what is a fault is the actual cut of the jackets that she has worn. They seem to be very short and cut right across her stomache making it look larger than it is.

If you look in the Royals with Similar styles thread there is a photo of Princess Maxima, who also wears clothes from the same designer, and the cut of the jacket does exactly the same for her figure.