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

[purple_platinum]

On March 11, 2006, Prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde will go on Economic mission to South Africa

Prince Philippe chairs an economic mission in South Africa, organized by the Agency for the Trade foreign in close cooperation with the regional services of the foreign trade (AWEX, Brussels Export and Flanders Investment & Trade). Mr. Marc Verwilghen, Minister for the Economy, Energy, the foreign Trade and the scientific Policy, accompanies the Prince like member by the federal government and Mrs. Fientje Moerman, Vice-Minister-President of the Flemish government, takes part in the mission like member of the regional government.

Princess Mathilde also makes displacement towards South Africa to take part more particularly in the events which will proceed there within the framework of the promotion of the image of Belgium. The Princess visits also some sociocultural projects.


Please post news & photos of the visit here...

 

[selminha]

This mission is for how many days?

 

[LadyS]

Does anyone know whereabouts in South Africa they will be visiting?

 

[Hannelore]

It's an economic mission, so mostly factories and business meetings.

 

[Mette2]

I don't really know if this article belongs here or not, because it's nearly two years old. But it's about the importance of Philippe's presense on economic missions. So, since this economic mission will be the next one he and Mathilde attend, I thought I'd just post it here. Hope that's okay. Btw. looking forward to seeing pictures from this economic mission already.

The article is from bbt:

www.bbt.be/extranews.htm

 

[selminha]

Somebody knows the program of the mission?

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

I don't really know if this article belongs here or not, because it's nearly two years old. But it's about the importance of Philippe's presense on economic missions. So, since this economic mission will be the next one he and Mathilde attend, I thought I'd just post it here. Hope that's okay. Btw. looking forward to seeing pictures from this economic mission already.

The article is from bbt:

www.bbt.be/extranews.htm

Thank you Mette, a very nice and informative article!

 

[Mette2]

Thank you Mette, a very nice and informative article!

You're welcome Cathérine. Not long now until we have pictures from their trip. I'm excited already. We'll have a great week ahead of us, with hopefully lots of pictures.

 

[Emmily]

Will the children go with them? I know Elizabeth is in school now, but what about the two boys?

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

No the children never go along on these missions.

 

[purple_platinum]

Philippe & Mathilde arrive in Cape Town

Prince Philippe of Belgium and Princess Mathilde arrive, 12 March 2006, at Cape Town international airport at the start of a six-day visit in the country along with a Belgian economic mission.

from ANP (AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA)

 

[purple_platinum]

Prince Philippe & Princess of Belgium talks with South African Minister of correctional services Ngconde Balfour (L) on arrival at Cape Town international airport, South Africa Sunday 12 March 2006. The Prince and Princess will hold bilateral discussions with the South African government during their week long visit.

from ANP (EPA/NIC BOTHMA)

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

another one from Belga

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

gettyimages

 

[johann]

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. Source: BELGA

 

[dianafan]

Nice photo's of prince Philippe and princess mathilde.

 

[Lila Rose]

lovely picture , and cute how they still walk hand in hand !

 

[selminha]

Such a lovely couple. Thanks for the beautiful photos.

 

[Mette2]

Thank you all for the very lovely pictures. The first pictures of many I hope. It's great to see Philippe and Mathilde together again on an economic mission. Looking forward to seeing more pictures from their trip.

 

[Saragli]

What a nice visit. Doesnt Philippe look like his brother in the second pic with the glasses.

 

[sara1981]

CP Mathilde looks so lovely!

yeah CP couples still in hands with hands all the times always do that! but never without it! but both must still hold together forever!

 

[Peaches]

It seems Philippe did some work (as he was pictured walking out with a briefcase) and not just a photo opportunity! Do you think he goes back home and reviews all his work (back to the hotel and back to Belgium)? I wonder what he does with all that information.

 

[fanletizia]

Prince Philippe of Belgium(L) and Princess Mathilde(R) are, 13 March 2006, welcomed by South African deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngucka (C) at the South African parliament in Cape Town ahead of a bilateral discussion.

from getty

 

[fanletizia]

Visiting the realisations of the Belgian NGO 'Close the Gap' at the University of the Western Cape and the Tigersberg Children Hospital, Monday 13 March 2006

from belgapic

 

[selminha]

Great pictures, thanks. They are such a marvelous couple

 

[selminha]

The bag is very pretty!!!

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Visiting the realisations of the Belgian NGO 'Close the Gap' at the University of the Western Cape and the Tigersberg Children Hospital, Monday 13 March 2006

from belgapic

"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.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

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. Source: BELGA
http://img7.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc154&image=93934_p4039798.jpg http://img40.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc19&image=94018_p4039811.jpg http://img146.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc137&image=94070_p4039841.jpg http://img138.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc59&image=94154_p4039865.jpg http://img141.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc292&image=94200_p4039898.jpg

Thanks Johan! Here are some more from gamma. The color looks great on Mathilde. And her hair blowing in the wind, a happy and relaxed princess

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

The bag is very pretty!!!

I really don't like this one...the shape and the color that clashes with her clothes (but matches with the deputy president )

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

It seems Philippe did some work (as he was pictured walking out with a briefcase) and not just a photo opportunity! Do you think he goes back home and reviews all his work (back to the hotel and back to Belgium)? I wonder what he does with all that information.

An economic mission is prepared very thoroughly. More than a year before the start of the mission Philippe gets together with the business men to discuss the objectifs, the current economic situation of the country they're visiting etc.

There are various meetings and colloquia before they leave and when they return there are meetings to view the results.