Philippe & Mathilde's Visit to Russia : 26 June - 1 July 2006

[johann]

26/06/2006 – 01/07/2006
Prince Philippe, Princess Mathilde

Prince Philippe chairs an Economic mission to Russia. Princess Mathilde will accompany him. (Source: monarchie.be)

[Coquine]

Maandblad gaat royaal uit de bocht
Royals verslaat Rusland-reis Filip en Mathilde nog voor ze vertrokken zijn
Terwijl prins Filip en prinses Mathilde nog hun koffers pakken voor een officieel bezoek aan Rusland, publiceerde het Vlaamse maandblad Royals gisteren al een omstandig reisverslag van de prinselijke handelsmissie. ,,Er is een verkeerde tekst verschenen. We betreuren ten zeerste deze technische fout'', tracht hoofdredacteur Guy Van Oost de misser goed te praten.
The whole article can be found here : http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Article/Detail.aspx?articleID=G4RU523N

For those who don’t understand Dutch : The magazine Royals published yesterday a report of the visit that still has to be made by Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde. The editor says it was a technical error.

What a silly mistake ! I never read the magazine Royals before but to me, this mistake shows how biased and worthless royal magazines can be. In fact, it is quite alarming. How can you be sure whether it’s true what they write, if they make up half of the story beforehand !

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Well if you want to actually read about them "Royals" is absolutely not what you should get, they offer no information whatsoever IMO, but great pictures. A very stupid mistake indeed.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

I just saw an item on the news about this mission: before Philippe & Mathilde left they gave a press conference of about 10 mins. Obviously because of the criticism Philippe received on the previous mission, to South Africa. The prince looked good and very relaxed. He said he was accompanying about 200 Belgian business men, that they were well prepared. He had met everyone, there had been 6 meetings to prepare this mission.

Mathilde, wearing red trousers and a white jacket with a red flower brooch, said she would participate in some activities: an activity focussing on businesswomen and some social and cultural ones.

According to the news there will probably be a meeting with president Putin on the last day.

[kristinvu]

if you follow this link you can see the press conference Cathérine mentioned above.
You can here speaking both Philippe and Mathilde

http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_m...nd/index.shtml

click right next to the picture on "Filip en Mathilde vertrokken naar Rusland"

[johann]

Pointing out how much work is done before the mission starts, is a very clever reaction towards the critics. Hopefully things run smoother this time, seems they elaborated a new media-strategy. Prince Philippe mostly gives the impression of being interested and involved, so I think the criticism he received last time was unfair.

And surely there will be nice pictures soon.

[Royal Fan]

Ive always wanted to go to Russia :) have they ever been before?

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde pictured during an opening coktail with the Belgian delegation as they arrived today for a five days economic mission in Russia, Monday 26 June 2006.

Belga

[Emily]

I love the beige color on Mathilde and the polka dot skirt! In the third photo, P and M look like such a distinguised couple!

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

well they are a distinguised couple :)

some more from Belga...

[Emily]

Yes, yes, they are -- absolutely lovely. And thank you for these pictures so soon after they must have arrived!

[Maxie]

I agree, they're very distinguished! :)
I love Mathilde's skirt, not too sure about the beige top, though. The sleeves are weird looking.

Thanks for the pictures, Catherine!

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

the last ones ... (belga)

[selminha]

Such a lovely couple. Thanks for the photos are so beautiful!!!!

[marine2109]

Princess Mathilde looks very pretty and beautiful!!!Thanks for the pictures!!!:)

[monica]

Princess Matilde is very handsome has very sweet factions.

[Adry]

Mathilde beautiful as usual, even in Russia!..she never dissapoints :p

[crisiñaki]

Phillippe looks very handsome lately! :)
The mid-forties definitely suit him

[Alisa]

This is certainly a new look for the Duchess. The skirt is just adorable and the shirt that style and cut is quite flirty.

[stellam]

She looks lovely and together they make a lovely couple. It would be interesting to see if she has any engagements by herself while in Russia.

Stellad