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

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

"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.

More from belga

 

[Maxie]

Mathilde looks absolutely fabolous in red! I love that suit!
Thanks to all who posted tje pictures and provided the information concerning the visit! I always love seeing Filip & Mathilde together. They're such a great team!

 

[adelaide]

It's a very good and harmonious team, it's sure and I appraciate them very well. Nevertheless Matilde seems to have some curves a little beat so "curve" isen't ?

 

[corazon]

mathilde look great, i love this couple, very natural and so in love.

 

[elmabruin]

The look really great togheter!

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium during a walk on the Marina of Cape Town, Sunday 12 March 2006,more photos from eastnews

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

two more (eastnews)

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Belgian Prince Philippe leads trade mission to South Africa


By Andnetwork .com

Prince Philippe of Belgium arrived in Cape Town on Sunday, leading a
week-long trade mission to South Africa to look at investment
opportunities in the country and on the continent at large.


Philippe and Princess Mathilde were accompanied by trade ministers
and executives from about 70 Belgian companies, the foreign ministry
said.

"A major objective of the visit will be to examine opportunities for
business partnerships with Belgium in South Africa and Africa,
particularly in the ports, energy and railway sectors," a foreign
ministry statement said.

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is hosting the Belgian royals
and the business leaders for the visit that will take them to Cape
Town, Johannesburg and Durban, meeting luminaries such as former
president Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, both
Nobel Peace Prize winners.

South African government officials and their Belgian counterparts are
also to discuss ways to help the Democratic Republic of Congo, a
former Belgian colony, prepare for its
watershed June 18 elections.

Philippe, the heir to the Belgian throne, and Mathilde are due to
visit a diamond-cutting factory outside Pretoria and open an Internet
cafe in a township that will use Belgian ISDN techology.

Belgium is South Africa's sixth-largest trading partner with exports
valued at 7.21 billion rand (1.15 billion dollars/ 970 million euros)
in 2004, mostly diamonds, iron, other minerals and fresh fruit,
according to government figures.

South African imports from Belgium totalling 3.83 billion rand in
2004 were mostly automobile parts including catalytic converters,
transport containers and wheels.

Source : Sapa

AND Network

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

gettyimages

Prince Philippe of Belgium and South African deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngucka give, 13 March 2006, a joint press conference after bilateral discussion at the South African parliament in Cape Town.

 

[johann]

Mathilde is unique in many ways (Philippe of course too). The one thing that impresses me most: She is always so interested in the persons and things around her. You can see her encouraging people with a bright smile, focussing on the things she listens to or beeing deeply touched by the fate of her counterpart. But I can’t remember a single picture of her looking bored or unfriendly. There’s always so much empathy, it’s really touching.

BTW Cathérine, agree with you about the bag… Let’s hope, we will see a spectacular evening gown. Something like the wonderful green dress in China…wouldn’t it be nice?

 

[carlota]

i agree with you johann. just look at how interested she looks when talking with the 8 year old with the computer...
mathilde is absolutely lovely. i think they make a great team. you just have too see how they hold hands when posing or walking together...

 

[Saragli]

Mathilde is really lovely. She reminds me of the perfect 50's housewife. She is very quite and elegant and can have impact when needed.

 

[corazon]

I read i nanother foro than matilde is pregnant again but I not believe that.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Mathilde is really lovely. She reminds me of the perfect 50's housewife. She is very quite and elegant and can have impact when needed.

Actually she's not "very quiet" at all.

 

[johann]

Mathilde is really lovely. She reminds me of the perfect 50's housewife. She is very quite and elegant and can have impact when needed.

There are of course different points of view . In my opinion this comparison does no justice to her. Look at all the things she is involved with. For example: I don´t think an housewife would become an UN Ambassador – which does not mean, that I wouldn´t pay my deepest respect towards the social work of housewives. She fullfills her role with passion and seriousness, it´s not just walking beside her husband and doing some charity for amusement.

 

[stellam]

This is the best time of the year to be in Cape Town. I hope this couple get to see as many sights as possible especially along the Cape Wine Route, the top of Table Mountain and Robben Island where Nelson Mandela served his prison sentence.

Stellad

 

[IamLaura]

Thanks for showing the pics, they are a great royal couple!
Who are taking care of the children btw? are they with their parents?

 

[fanletizia]

Prince Philippe(CR) of Belgium and Princess Mathilde (L) arrive, 14 March 2006, at the South African parliament for UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan's speech to a joint sitting of the South African Parliament in Cape Town

from getty

 

[Adry]

Profimedia
[URL=http://img374.imageshack.us/my.php?image=569fp.jpg][/URL]

 

[selminha]

Wow!!! Mathilde look very pretty!!! It does not have more photos?

 

[oskana]

wow. they are such a beautiful and romantic couple. i always love seeing them together.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Prince Philippe(CR) of Belgium and Princess Mathilde (L) arrive, 14 March 2006, at the South African parliament for UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan's speech to a joint sitting of the South African Parliament in Cape Town

from Belga

 

[selminha]

Thanks for the photos. Somebody knows if it goes to have some reception to the night?

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

more from yesterday:

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

Eastnews

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

BTW Cathérine, agree with you about the bag… Let’s hope, we will see a spectacular evening gown. Something like the wonderful green dress in China…wouldn’t it be nice?

I'm hoping for the same...that green dress was fabulous!!

 

[johann]

Belgium's Crown Prince Philippe (L) and Princess Mathilde of Belgium meet with South Africa's former President Nelson Mandela 15 March 2006, in Johannesburg. (GETTY)

 

[Xandra]

Corazon, I was wondering myself, because Mathilde looks like she has a bigger tummy than usual.

 

[funny_Bunny]

I really love the red suit Mathilde is wearing. It is a great colour for her !

 

[purple_platinum]

from ANP :

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilda of Belgium meet former South African President, Nelson Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday 15 March 2006

 

[pollyemma]

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