Belgium's National Day 2005 - Page 2

Hannelore · #21 07-21-2005, 06:34 AM

Here's a video to Albert's speech of this year. Like each year it's recorded in his office at the royal palace. Behind him is a portrait of his ancestor, Leopold I prince von Saksen Coburg und Gotha, first king of the Belgians.

Albert's speeches are always very good and understandable but I would just like him to speak a bit faster :)

http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_m...x.html?video_1

rdb · #22 07-21-2005, 06:55 AM

I was yesterday at the Prelude Concert in Brussels. In fact it was'nt as good as last year (too short... :( )For the people who don't know who that man is sitting in the loge in the left corner: that's a good friend of Albert, and he's in the Board of Directors of Axa and he's also a member of the organisation of the Concours Reine Elisabeth.

Hannelore · #23 07-21-2005, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdb

I was yesterday at the Prelude Concert in Brussels. In fact it was'nt as good as last year (too short... :( )For the people who don't know who that man is sitting in the loge in the left corner: that's a good friend of Albert, and he's in the Board of Directors of Axa and he's also a member of the organisation of the Concours Reine Elisabeth.

Yes, count de Launoit - also a very good friend of queen Fabiola.

What was on the program ?

carlota · #24 07-21-2005, 07:14 AM

both princesses are looking gorgeous :)

was claire there? no pics of her?

will astrid's family attend the celebrations appart from amadeo in the royal parade?

Hannelore · #25 07-21-2005, 07:54 AM

http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_m...x.html?video_1

Video of the brass bands parade. It looked like a daft parade, I really would have loved it - a pitty I wasn't there , but I don't live in Brussels.

The 3 military chapels (military orchestras) led the parade, followed by any band or musician who wanted to come along.

Hannelore · #26 07-21-2005, 07:58 AM

the first images of the king and queen and queen fabiola at the te deum in Brussels. I love Paola's green ensemble, it looks young and fresh on her.

Hannelore · #27 07-21-2005, 08:13 AM

I've just seen the king and queen on the news, and Filip & Mathilde in Hasselt. Mathilde's very classy. She wears an outfit from Natan : a pink dress with a pink coat over it, with a large flower on the shoulder. She didn't wear a hat though. maybe she'll wear one for the défilé ?

Jelka · #28 07-21-2005, 09:01 AM

First pictures of Filip and Mathilde in Hasselt:

Hannelore · #29 07-21-2005, 09:11 AM

Video of Albert, Paola and Fabiola at the Te Deum in Brussels

http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_m...x.html?video_2

Video of Filip and Mathilde at the Te Deum in Hasselt

http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_m...x.html?video_3

Mette2 · #30 07-21-2005, 09:11 AM

Thank you for the pictures Hannlore. Astrid looked great, and I thought I'd seen Mathilde's outfit before. Yes, a bit disappointed that she wore an old outfit, but like you said she's still beautiful.:) I thought she looked a bit tired, but she's more than 6 months pregnant so I guess it's only natural if she is.
Thank you rdb for the information.:) When I looked at the picture I actually wondered who the man was.

http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_m...175/index.html

There are videos to the right from today's celebrations including Albert, Paola, and Fabiola at Te Deum in Brussels and Philippe and Mathilde at Te Deum in Hasselt.

Jelka · #31 07-21-2005, 09:18 AM

Some more pictures of Filip and Mathilde:

Hannelore · #32 07-21-2005, 09:22 AM

Pics: Reuters

Hannelore · #33 07-21-2005, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelka

Some more pictures of Filip and Mathilde:

Thank you Jelka, now I see Mathilde has the same flowers in her hair as on her coat. That counts as a 'hat'. Delicate and beautiful.

Mette2 · #34 07-21-2005, 09:30 AM

Thank you for the pictures Jelka.:) I found the same pictures and was about to post them - great minds think alike.

Mathilde looks wonderful and I really like her outfit.
Also thank you for the pictures Hannelore.:) I like Paola's outfit too.

Hannelore · #35 07-21-2005, 09:37 AM

In case anyone's wondering...Paola's ensemble is from Natan as well.

princess gertrude · #36 07-21-2005, 09:41 AM

Astrid looks fantastic!!! And Mathilda looked beautiful, regardless of whether it was recycled or not!! Everyone was extraordinary!

Alexandria · #37 07-21-2005, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelka

Some more pictures of Filip and Mathilde:

Mathilde looks phenomenal and so radiant!

Thank you Jelka for these pictures and Hannelore for the many others of Albert, Paola, Fabiola, and Astrid (who does indeed look spectacular every time I see her of late!). :)

KikkiB · #38 07-21-2005, 09:54 AM

Just been thinking, some of you say you are disappointed that Mathilde wears maternity outfits that she has used in her previous pregnancies. Even if she probably has enough money to buy a new designer maternity outfit every day, I think it's nice that she choose to use them again. Even if you are rich it doesn't mean that you can't economise! And these maternity outfits isn't going to be worn on that many occasions anyway, because she's probably not going to have many more children and thus pack her outfits away. And royal women around Europe do re-use their outfits as they are or with modifications (Queen Sonja, Queen Silvia and Princess Anne often do).

I think it would be vain and selfish of royal women in general, if they didn't re-use their outfits from time to time. Yes, they are fashion role models, but I hope they aren't so vain that they only care about their appearances. As royals they have a great opportunity to help make the world a better place, and most of the royal women are highly educated and intelligent, and does contribute in a valuable way. My impression of Mathilde is just that, a woman who care about more important issues that what she'll wear that day, and I believe she does her fair share of bringing focus to important issues. I really like the way she acts (at least from what I learn from the media and this forum), she seems to me to be a really caring person with her feet solid on the ground.

So perhaps we should look at what she contributes to making the world a better place rather than what she wears?!?

Mette2 · #39 07-21-2005, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KikkiB

Just been thinking, some of you say you are disappointed that Mathilde wears maternity outfits that she has used in her previous pregnancies. Even if she probably has enough money to buy a new designer maternity outfit every day, I think it's nice that she choose to use them again. Even if you are rich it doesn't mean that you can't economise! And these maternity outfits isn't going to be worn on that many occasions anyway, because she's probably not going to have many more children and thus pack her outfits away. And royal women around Europe do re-use their outfits as they are or with modifications (Queen Sonja, Queen Silvia and Princess Anne often do).

I think it would be vain and selfish of royal women in general, if they didn't re-use their outfits from time to time. Yes, they are fashion role models, but I hope they aren't so vain that they only care about their appearances. As royals they have a great opportunity to help make the world a better place, and most of the royal women are highly educated and intelligent, and does contribute in a valuable way. My impression of Mathilde is just that, a woman who care about more important issues that what she'll wear that day, and I believe she does her fair share of bringing focus to important issues. I really like the way she acts (at least from what I learn from the media and this forum), she seems to me to be a really caring person with her feet solid on the ground.

So perhaps we should look at what she contributes to making the world a better place rather than what she wears?!?

Please don't get me wrong KikkiB, I too think it's great when the royals re-use their outfits, and I haven't got a problem with that at all.:) Yes, bringing focus to an important issue is definitely more important than the clothes they're wearing, and I don't expect royals to wear something new everytime. I just always look forward to seeing what the royals are wearing - it's exciting, so when they wear something they've worn before it's like: "Oh, I've already seen that before, but it's still great.:)" Don't know if that makes sense, but that's just what it sounds like in my head. Not always easy to put you voice on paper, or in this case the internet.

Hannelore · #40 07-21-2005, 10:53 AM

About 30 min. ago Amedeo marched past the royal tribune in his regiment (the military parade is actually taking place). Astrid smiled when she saw him - very touching. Actually she looked a bit surprised as well. Of course she knew her son was going to march past but it must be a weird thing to see him all off a sudden...Amedeo coudn't suppress a little smile either when he walked past the royal tribune.

Again no Claire (or Laurent). I wonder why. This week she was still out and about looking for a new nanny but working (= sitting on a chair watching a parade) for her country is too much effort? Anyway, I don't know, maybe we'll still get to see her this evening or an explanaition will be given why she wasn't there :(