Belgian Official Visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): 7-13 June 2022

[Marika86]

At the invitation of the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), His Excellency Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Their Majesties the King and Queen are making an official visit to the DRC from Sunday, March 6 to Thursday, March 10. They are accompanied by the Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sophie Wilmès, and the Minister of Development Cooperation, Meryame Kitir.

https://www.monarchie.be/nl/agenda/d...liek-congo-drc
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLt-58bX...g&name=900x900

https://twitter.com/Presidence_RDC/s...ShNSxUax36GYRg

[Heavs]

Should be a fascinating visit.

[An Ard Ri]

Was this visit postponed during the lockdowns and restrictions?

[Prinsara]

Hoo boy. This will be a little more than a standard visit.

Did Albert and Paola ever go while he was reigning? Everyone else after Leopold II did at some point or another.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Prinsara

Hoo boy. This will be a little more than a standard visit.

Did Albert and Paola ever go while he was reigning? Everyone else after Leopold II did at some point or another.

King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola visited the Congo. I don't know about Albert and Paola.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola visited the Congo. I don't know about Albert and Paola.

Yes, in 2010, for 50 years independence: https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/konin...ongo~bb5878ee/

Originally Posted by Marika86

https://www.monarchie.be/nl/agenda/d...liek-congo-drc

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLt-58bX...g&name=900x900

https://twitter.com/Presidence_RDC/s...ShNSxUax36GYRg

It is quite alike hobbyism with a colour printer. And why two date stamps on an invitation instead of just printing the date?

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

Yes, in 2010, for 50 years independence: https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/konin...ongo~bb5878ee/

Was that not the time that Paolo received the controversial, never seen in public, diamond necklace from Congo?

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by muriel

Was that not the time that Paolo received the controversial, never seen in public, diamond necklace from Congo?

Yes: a demi-parure consisting a diamond collier, a diamond bracelet and a pair of diamond earhangers: https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/konin...ongo~b2872a8b/

It will be interesting to see if Queen Mathilde will wear this gift.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

Yes: a demi-parure consisting a diamond collier, a diamond bracelet and a pair of diamond earhangers: https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/konin...ongo~b2872a8b/

It will be interesting to see if Queen Mathilde will wear this gift.

I know if there was some negative comment around this gift at the time, but if the gift has been declared and made public, I see no reason why the current and future Queen's cannot wear the jewellery in the future.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by muriel

I know if there was some negative comment around this gift at the time, but if the gift has been declared and made public, I see no reason why the current and future Queen's cannot wear the jewellery in the future.

It is seen as s set with "blood diamonds", with Congo having the record of the most horrific working circumstances for kids to dig in mines searching for diamonds, treated with brutality and without human rights. These mines are usually exploited by warlords to fincance their internal tribal fights. And the then president, Kabila, was such a war lord, with the largest contingents of childrens' armies. His father was the one who did a coup against President Mobutu. Best advice is never to touch these diamonds.

Same category as the diamonds of Bokassa, given to Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. It did cost him his re-election as President of France...

[iceflower]

The official visit has been postponed, it was announced by the Palace today, February 28:

** Press release **

Due to the invasion of Ukraine and the crisis it is generating, it has been decided, in close consultation with HE Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to postpone the visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen scheduled in the DRC from March 6 to 10 to a later date

[iceflower]

A new date for the official visit has been found: It will take place from June 7 to June 13, 2022, it was announced today.


** twitter post **

[An Ard Ri]

That's good news that a new date has been set for the visit

[eya]

The Royal Couple pictured at the departure today for an official visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Will be visiting Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Bukavu from 7 June to 13 June .


https://www.rexfeatures.com/set/12975193


The Royal Couple arrived

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FUqeHclW...pg&name=medium

https://www.rexfeatures.com/set/12976047

[iceflower]

Here are some more photos of day 1 today, June 7:


** gettyimages gallery **

[iceflower]

Day 2 in Congo has started:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery ** ppe gallery **

[cdm]

King Philippe expresses regrets about the colonial past in his speech.
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2022/06...s-of-the-past/

A mask that was in the Africa museum in Tervuren is returned Congo.
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2022/06...mask-to-congo/

[maria-olivia]

He is the first King of the Belgians to express this .
Never Kings Albert I , Leopold III, Baudouin and Albert II before

[Somebody]

He expressed 'regrets' 2 years ago as well. In Congo they were hoping for an apology but that will apparently have to wait until another time.

[iceflower]

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde in Congo today, June 9:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery **