State Visit from Austria to Belgium: 21-23 March 2022

Marika86 · #1 03-14-2022, 09:18 AM

At the invitation the King and the Queen, Mr. Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Austria and Mrs. Doris Schmidauer will pay a state visit to Belgium from 21 to 23 March.

https://twitter.com/WDehandschutter/...pr9-6lN-N6AS8w

**An Ard Ri** · #2 03-14-2022, 09:24 AM

That's not too far away and some good news!

**Stefan** · #3 03-14-2022, 10:45 AM

And as it was only announced now it will hopefully take place and not be cancelled because of the Ukraine War.

**Tilia C.** · #4 03-16-2022, 08:34 AM

If they announce the SV now, they do intend to go ahead despite the war in Ukraine, I guess. Unless the war is escalating in some really terrible way, they will pull it through. But the war will probably one of the topics on the agenda of the two parties.

**iceflower** · #5 03-21-2022, 04:53 AM

The State Visit has started with a welcome ceremony in front of the Royal Palace today, March 21:

** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** Pic 5 ** Pic 6 **

** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery ** ppe gallery **

eya · #6 03-21-2022, 05:19 AM

Here informations about the program of the Austrian visit in Belgium

https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/new...public_austria

PrincessofEurope · #7 03-21-2022, 06:21 AM

Princess Elizabeth is in Belgium (as per the weekend visit with her father to the crash site) will we see her participate in the banquet this evening - a visit from another European country would be a good introduction to these events for her

Blog Real · #8 03-21-2022, 06:25 AM

Will Princess Elizabeth attend the state banquet?

Marchesina · #9 03-21-2022, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrincessofEurope

Princess Elizabeth is in Belgium (as per the weekend visit with her father to the crash site) will we see her participate in the banquet this evening - a visit from another European country would be a good introduction to these events for her

I was thinking about the coincidence as well. Fingers crossed.

**iceflower** · #10 03-21-2022, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blog Real

Will Princess Elizabeth attend the state banquet?

Judging from the first photos it doesn’t look like she attended:

** rex gallery banquet ** gettyimages gallery banquet **

**An Ard Ri** · #11 03-21-2022, 02:47 PM

And no tiaras/orders/gowns and business suits what a complete let down

some photos from the Belgian dinner at Laken
https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...3-2022%20Laken

**Stefan** · #12 03-21-2022, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceflower

Judging from the first photos it doesn’t look like she attended:

** rex gallery banquet **

No white tie Banquet?. Disapointing

mybags · #13 03-21-2022, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan

No white tie Banquet?. Disapointing

With the situation in Ukraine, I really didn't expect it.

Blog Real · #14 03-21-2022, 03:05 PM

I was disappointed that there were no tiaras and orders at the banquet.
Is Princess Elisabeth present?

**iceflower** · #15 03-21-2022, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blog Real

I was disappointed that there were no tiaras and orders at the banquet.
Is Princess Elisabeth present?

No, she would have arrived together with her parents and the presidential couple and she did not, nor can she be seen at the dinner table.

Marchesina · #16 03-21-2022, 03:25 PM

Totally disappointed by the dress code. But I understand this visit has been extremely scaled down.

Duc_et_Pair · #17 03-22-2022, 06:29 AM

It looks like the Belgian defence has to scrape every Euro to have some ceremonial.
Not only somtehing simple as the dirty, faded colours on the flags of the lanciers of the Royal Mounted Escorte.

Also that the guard of honour (!) for a foreign head of state (!) is in camouflage battle dress. As if no Euro was left in the pocket to purchase proper ceremonial uniforms.

Guard of honour in Brussels

Imagine that on this picture (Philippe and Mathilde with the Mayor of Amsterdam) all ceremonial uniforms were replaced by green camouflage battle dress.

**An Ard Ri** · #18 03-22-2022, 07:14 AM

A rather lackluster State Visit even the white ceremonial dias looked cheap and like it was picked up in Ikea!

Marchesina · #19 03-22-2022, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

It looks like the Belgian defence has to scrape every Euro to have some ceremonial.
Not only somtehing simple as the dirty, faded colours on the flags of the lanciers of the Royal Mounted Escorte.

Also that the guard of honour (!) for a foreign head of state (!) is in camouflage battle dress. As if no Euro was left in the pocket to purchase proper ceremonial uniforms.

Guard of honour in Brussels

Imagine that on this picture (Philippe and Mathilde with the Mayor of Amsterdam) all ceremonial uniforms were replaced by green camouflage battle dress.

I agree. But that depends on the government or at least the Ministry of Defence that decided to remove all cerimonial uniforms. If you look at their National Day Parade it is extremely disappointing. I am not here to boast but the Parade we have in Italy on the 2nd of June every year, it looks more dignified and fit for a monarchy than theirs.

Duc_et_Pair · #20 03-22-2022, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marchesina

I agree. But that depends on the government or at least the Ministry of Defence that decided to remove all cerimonial uniforms. If you look at their National Day Parade it is extremely disappointing. I am not here to boast but the Parade we have in Italy on the 2nd of June every year, looks more dignified and fit for a monarchy than theirs.

Absolutely. I see it on RAI international and is most impressive.