Philippe And Mathilde's Joyeuses Entrées

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

[purple_platinum]

thanks for these photos, Catherine...
it's very nice to see the 'beginning' of Mathilde..

i must say, Philippe & Mathilde grew more in-love by the years... they're so young back then.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

A few more from that first joyeuse entrée (le soir illustrée)

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Originally Posted by Cathérine Bergeyck

The second visit, on the 25th of October 1999 was to Western-Flanders.

First they went to the province's capital, Bruges, where a crowd of 7000 people had showed up!

After Bruges they also visited Koksijde (at the Belgian coast) and Poperinge, where Mathilde's uncle, count Henri d'Udekem d'Acoz, is mayor.

(seegerpress, APL, Corbis, Le soir illustr&#233

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Mathilde was dressed by Olivier Strelli

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

With Mathilde's uncle

[Emily]

Thanks for all these photos. I agree with whoever said it is fun to see them from "the beginning". In some ways they have changed and in others they are so much the same.

[sara1981]

thanks for pictures but Mathilde looks so different im not sure before she got married or after she married him? but im really like see crown couple beginning till married and more ever!

[pdas1201]

Please credit the photos or they will be deleted.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Originally Posted by pdas1201

Please credit the photos or they will be deleted.

I have given all the credits at the beginning of each series.

[adelaide]

I'm a true fan of the Prince of Asrurias but in my mind ( a little beat obsess....) I have a special place for that couple. They represent for me the subtil balance between the strengh and the shyness, the empatethy and the reserve, a kind of refiment and the discretion. I have to suppose that they are abble to be very good in theirs fonctions.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Originally Posted by Cathérine Bergeyck

The third visit was to the province of Brabant Wallon, on the 28th of October 1999.

This is the French-speaking part of Brabant.

Philippe and Mathilde carry the title of 'duke and duchess of Brabant'.

They visited Wavre, Louvain-la-Neuve (where Mathilde was studying psychology at the university) and Nivelles.

Photos: APL, le soir illustré, royals.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

The next joyeuse entrée was to the Flemish part of Brabant. They first visited the capital Leuven and its university. Mathilde wore a gorgeous outfit by Olivier Strelli. The necklace also looked very nice on her IMO.

APL
kampenhout.be

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Then they visted the city Tienen and its sugar factory. If you take a close look at Mathilde's booket you'll see little lumps of sugar are mixed in it :)

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Then they put on their wellies to visit the nature reserve of the town Kampenhout.

Philippe & Mathilde were asked to help some children put hay on a stack. When they were doing so, one of the journalists said to the prince "Be carefull monseigneur, we're not far away" to which he replied "I could well set a few things straight now" :)

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

afterwards they had a hot cocoa, it doesn't always have to beer :)