Belgian State Visit to Chile: June 23 - 26, 2025

[iceflower]

* *

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will pay a state visit to Chile from June 23 - 26, 2025.

Le Roi et la Reine effectuent une visite d'Etat au Chili | La Monarchie belge

The Belgian Monarchy website

www.monarchie.be

At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Chile, His Excellency Gabriel Boric Font, Their Majesties the King and Queen will conduct a state visit to Chile. They will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ministers-President of the Communities and Regions, and an economic and academic delegation. The program will include several diplomatic, economic, scientific, and social visits and activities in Santiago de Chile and Antofagasta.

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Happy Posting! ​

 

[iceflower]

Due to technical problems with the plane the departure for Chile has to be delayed for one day and the state visit has therefore to be shortened:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1936581427145195589

 

[maria-olivia]

No attendance in luxembourg. They will attend the Oath of the new Grand Duke

 

[iceflower]

This morning, June 23, King Philippe and Queen Matilde were able to depart:


** gettyimages gallery ** rex gallery **

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937050343474356288

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937044600964948341

The Palace has shared a look back on previous visits:

Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "🇧🇪🇨🇱 De Koning en Koningin vertrekken vandaag naar Chili voor het allereerste Belgische Staatsbezoek aan Latijns-Amerika in 60 jaar! 🔎 Met dit staatsbezoek willen België en Chili de banden tussen beide landen aanha

2,676 likes, 37 comments - belgianroyalpalace on June 22, 2025: "🇧🇪🇨🇱 De Koning en Koningin vertrekken vandaag naar Chili voor het allereerste Belgische Staatsbezoek aan Latijns-Amerika in 60 jaar! 🔎 Met dit staatsbezoek willen België en Chili de banden tussen beide landen aanhalen. ➡️ In 2002...

www.instagram.com

The King and Queen previously visited Chile in 2002, as Crown Prince and Crown Princess, as part of a Belgian economic mission. The King returned for a further economic mission in 2011, again as Crown Prince. King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola made a state visit to Chile in 1965.

 

[iceflower]

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde have arrived:


** rex gallery **

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937295552875757833

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937309557375537636

 

[Somebody]

Luckily the state visit was apparently scheduled for 4 days. Shortening it by one day would be much more problematic had they gone with the rather common 2 day state visit these days. I guess the distance made them decide to do a longer one.

 

[Marengo]

I am glad they have put safety first but a pity the visit had to be shortened. I wonder what part will be cancelled, there seems to be no state dinner tonight f.e. President Boric´s agenda must be busy too. It seems they kept the 2nd (now first) day as was originally planned. perhaps the official parts of day1 will go to day 3 [now second]. Whoever is coordinating this trip in the ministery and embassy will certainly deserve a a sympathetic thought because such a visit is stressful enough to organize without such major rescheduling.

Tonight there will be a reception for the Belgian community in the Palacio Cousiño -family home of the late countess of Paris. Hosted by the Belgian ambassador, count Christian de Lannoy. The 2nd brother of the future GDss of Luxembourg is called Christian, so it must be him as there do not seem to be others in the family with that name.

België en Chili: historische partners, samen op duurzame wijze richting de uitdagingen van de toekomst – deel Santiago de Chile

Van 24 tot 26 juni 2025 brengen Hunne Majesteiten de Koning en de Koningin der Belgen, vergezeld door de vicepremier en minister van Buitenlandse Zaken, Europese Zaken en Ontwikkelingssamenwerking, Maxime Prévot, een Staatsbezoek aan Chili, op uitnodiging van president Gabriel Boric.

diplomatie.belgium.be

According to the royal website they will go to the port city of Antofagasta later on. I wonder if San Pedro de Atacama -in the province of Antofagasta- will be visited, as Belgian priest, Gustave Le Paige, did a lot of archeology there. The town itself is only souvenir shops and restaurants now, but the desert around it is wonderful.

Edit: the ambassador is Stephanie's brother indeed:

Celebración de la entrega de Cartas Credenciales de nuestro Embajador Excmo. Christian de Lannoy

www.camarabelgolux.cl

 

[iceflower]

The programme has started:


** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery ** ppe gallery **

Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "La Visite d’Etat débute à Santiago. ➡️ Le Roi rencontre des réfugiés chiliens qui ont été accueillis en Belgique après le coup d’État militaire de 1973. 106 personnes ont alors bénéficié de l’appui direct de l’Amba

1,639 likes, 24 comments - belgianroyalpalace on June 24, 2025: "La Visite d’Etat débute à Santiago. ➡️ Le Roi rencontre des réfugiés chiliens qui ont été accueillis en Belgique après le coup d’État militaire de 1973. 106 personnes ont alors bénéficié de l’appui direct de l’Ambassade de Belgique...

www.instagram.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937503885536403476

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937536954469392747

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937547854060339503

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937602292699533636

 

[Blog Real]

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were officially welcomed by President Gabriel Boric. Afterwards, King Philippe and the President met in extended format – with the BE and CL delegations. Queen Mathilde visited the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art.

Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "🇧🇪🤝🇨🇱 De Koning en Koningin worden vervolgens officieel ontvangen door President @gabrielboric . Na hun een-op-eengesprek zitten de Koning en de President samen met de Belgische en Chileense delegatie rond kwesties

4,804 likes, 50 comments - belgianroyalpalace on June 24, 2025: "🇧🇪🤝🇨🇱 De Koning en Koningin worden vervolgens officieel ontvangen door President @gabrielboric . Na hun een-op-eengesprek zitten de Koning en de President samen met de Belgische en Chileense delegatie rond kwesties van...

www.instagram.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937485440430309677

Queen Mathilde visited the Mapuche, who constitute the largest indigenous community in Chile.
King Philippe is received by the Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives of Chile.

Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "▶️ Les Mapuches constituent la plus grande communauté autochtone du Chili. La Reine va à leur rencontre aujourd’hui à La Pintana pour découvrir leur riche culture et leurs traditions ancestrales. ⁉️ Les Mapuches v

2,200 likes, 25 comments - belgianroyalpalace on June 24, 2025: "▶️ Les Mapuches constituent la plus grande communauté autochtone du Chili. La Reine va à leur rencontre aujourd’hui à La Pintana pour découvrir leur riche culture et leurs traditions ancestrales. ⁉️ Les Mapuches vivent souvent en...

www.instagram.com

The State Visit began in Santiago.
King Philippe met with Chilean refugees who were welcomed in Belgium after the military coup of 1973.
Queen Mathilde visited Coaniquem, a center that provides free care for children with burns.

 

[iceflower]

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde traveled to Antofagasta today, June 25:


** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery **

Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "🇧🇪✨ De Koning en de Koningin bezoeken de Paranal-sterrenwacht in de Chileense Atacamawoestijn, waar de Europese Zuidelijke Sterrenwacht (ESO) werkt aan ’s werelds grootste telescopen. 
België is trotse medeoprichte

431 likes, 5 comments - belgianroyalpalace on June 26, 2025: "🇧🇪✨ De Koning en de Koningin bezoeken de Paranal-sterrenwacht in de Chileense Atacamawoestijn, waar de Europese Zuidelijke Sterrenwacht (ESO) werkt aan ’s werelds grootste telescopen. 
België is trotse medeoprichter van ESO. 🇧🇪...

www.instagram.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937898075802222595

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937986248905498830

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937991282124804372

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938018716081369175

 

[Mbruno]

It is really unusual for the Chileans not to hold a state banquet. Bolic is a moderate socialist and Chile is a relatively affluent Latin American country (by the standards of the region) with a mostly Southern European mainstream culture. One would expect that they would follow European etiquette and have at least a business-suit/ coktail-dresss official dinner.

 

[iceflower]

The final day of the state visit has come:


** rex gallery ** ppe gallery **

Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "👆 Le secteur minier est un pan important de l’économie chilienne. Le sous-sol du Chili regorge de minéraux (rares) indispensables pour de nombreuses industries européennes. 🌍 Face au changement climatique, l’explo

1,265 likes, 23 comments - belgianroyalpalace on June 26, 2025: "👆 Le secteur minier est un pan important de l’économie chilienne. Le sous-sol du Chili regorge de minéraux (rares) indispensables pour de nombreuses industries européennes. 🌍 Face au changement climatique, l’exploitation de ces...

www.instagram.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938244710167945637

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938282474880286823

 

[Somebody]

It is really unusual for the Chileans not to hold a state banquet. Bolic is a moderate socialist and Chile is a relatively affluent Latin American country (by the standards of the region) with a mostly Southern European mainstream culture. One would expect that they would follow European etiquette and have at least a business-suit/ coktail-dresss official dinner.

Wouldn't a state banquet have been planned for the first day? Philippe and Mathilde didn't show up in time and apparently they couldn't make it work for another day as all the attendees and staff had planned for it on the first day?! Has any reciprocal event taken place?

 

[Jelka]

Wouldn't a state banquet have been planned for the first day? Philippe and Mathilde didn't show up in time and apparently they couldn't make it work for another day as all the attendees and staff had planned for it on the first day?! Has any reciprocal event taken place?

No, it wasn't in the original programme either. There was a 'state lunch' on the first day, but that was it. Royal court appearantly told the accompanying journalists that it's not custom to do a state banquet in Chile.

 

[Mbruno]

Wouldn't a state banquet have been planned for the first day? Philippe and Mathilde didn't show up in time and apparently they couldn't make it work for another day as all the attendees and staff had planned for it on the first day?! Has any reciprocal event taken place?

Yes, the banquet may have been called off because of the late departure of the Belgian royal couple.

EDIT: I have just seen Jelka's reply pointing out that was not the case though. Apparently the Chileans "don't do state banquets", which is disappointing in my opinion for a sophisticated country like Chile.

That would make sense.

 

[iceflower]

Once again bad luck: the return flight to Belgium had to be delayed as well, once again technical difficulties:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938368926603215082

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938401614903062611

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938355485159092617

 

[Hans-Rickard]

They haven’t had much luck with that plane Technical faults can always happen but not good pr for the airline who chartered that plane to them

 

[An Ard Ri]

They haven’t had much luck with that plane Technical faults can always happen but not good pr for the airline who chartered that plane to them

Especially carrying the King and Queen on a State Visit ,these things do happen and safety first ofcourse.

 

[iceflower]

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde had a meeting with the press delegation this afternoon,

"The Queen and I have decided to stay with you”, “The Titanic is not sinking yet”, “We are all together, no matter what happens" - King Philippe at his best

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938644736077619541

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938652770493681911

 

[Somebody]

So, was this a chartered plane? I thought they are required to use military transportation? Can their regular flight option not travel long distance? It’s rather concerning for the same flight to have such issues on both in outbound and inbound leg.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

They are flying with a chartered Airbus A340-300 from the charter company Hi Fly.

It’s not the first the Belgian Royal Family uses one of their planes.

The Belgian Air Force normally uses a Dassault Falcon 7X for VIP-transportation but that one can’t make it to Chile without a stop for refueling.

 

[tommy100]

I assume they'll be looking to other companies when they next charter a plane, it is rather embarrassing and concerning to have an issue twice on one trip.

I think the Belgian Armed Forces have two Dassault Falcon jets but these only seat 14/16 people and they no longer have a permanent passenger jet type plane so have to charter one.

Bravo to the King & Queen for staying on with the delegation and turning down offers to be flown home separately.

 

[Marengo]

Apparently it may take until Monday even. One would say with such a long delay it would make more sense to book tickets to regular flights to everybody. There should be enough options with a short scale.

Although these things happen it does look rather unhandy.

 

[Mbruno]

Apparently it may take until Monday even. One would say with such a long delay it would make more sense to book tickets to regular flights to everybody. There should be enough options with a short scale.

Although these things happen it does look rather unhandy.

I suppose booking tickets on regular flights for everybody would mean additional costs, but that should be overridden by safety concerns.

It is a bit unsettling that the monarch and the queen consort are stranded in Chile. If their chartered plane is not deemed safe to travel, they should take a commercial flight and return to Belgium ASAP.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Or that the company who chartered the plane offers to fly in another plane to take them home…

Okay that they have other flights too but flying out a King and Queen with a huge entourage on a state visit to the other side of the world should come with some ”guarantees” in case of the plane being grounded for technical reasons during the journey…

 

[Blog Real]

I don't understand why the King and Queen and their entourage didn't take a regular flight back to Belgium. Doesn't Belgium have a plan B for these situations? Doesn't it have another plane that could pick them up? What a strange situation...

 

[Lee-Z]

From this dutch article Belgisch koningspaar al dagen gestrand in Chili door vliegtuigpech

The royal couple were offered seats on another flight, but the rest of the people travelling would have to wait until the plane is repaired. The King and Queen decided to decline and wait with the rest of their team.

 

[iceflower]

The plane is finally ready:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938950452940583070

 

[Somebody]

Hopefully, this time there are no errors during taxiing.

 

[Jelka]

Or that the company who chartered the plane offers to fly in another plane to take them home…

Okay that they have other flights too but flying out a King and Queen with a huge entourage on a state visit to the other side of the world should come with some ”guarantees” in case of the plane being grounded for technical reasons during the journey…

There simply was no other plane available. The company reached out to several other companies to help them out in this situation, but since it's the start of the summer holiday season, all planes of that size were already occupied. The Belgian government already gave their go to cover the cost of any other flight that could be found to fly the delegation home, but none of them could be found.