- Joined
- Jan 29, 2005
- Messages
- 85,007
- Country
- Germany
The Palace posted the photos as well this morning, including a lovely caption:
King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and Family, General News 3, Dec 2023 -
- Thread starter An Ard Ri
- Start date
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Linda_26
Courtier
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2022
- Messages
- 675
- City
- Turin
- Country
- Italy
A look back at King Philippe's travels this year, in an article by Wim Dehandschutter:
Op werkreis naar Namibië of naar familiefeest in Frankrijk: 9 reizen voor Filip, zeker 40 vluchten in 2024
The King went abroad using a military plane 9 times (around 40 flights in total): three times for official duties, the others for private travels. Aside from stays at the family's holiday home in the Île d'Yeu in France, there were private trips to Spain (hiking part of the Santiago Trail in the Easter holidays, and visiting Emmanuel at his football academy in Zaragoza in November), South France (in the weekend 28/30 June, for the family celebration of Albert and Paola's 65th wedding anniversary in Grasse) and Italy (Autumn holidays in Sicily).
Op werkreis naar Namibië of naar familiefeest in Frankrijk: 9 reizen voor Filip, zeker 40 vluchten in 2024
The King went abroad using a military plane 9 times (around 40 flights in total): three times for official duties, the others for private travels. Aside from stays at the family's holiday home in the Île d'Yeu in France, there were private trips to Spain (hiking part of the Santiago Trail in the Easter holidays, and visiting Emmanuel at his football academy in Zaragoza in November), South France (in the weekend 28/30 June, for the family celebration of Albert and Paola's 65th wedding anniversary in Grasse) and Italy (Autumn holidays in Sicily).
That sounds pretty reasonable - if he has to use the military plane for travel for security reasons they don't seem to be abusing the privilege. It is certainly less than other monarchs seem to use government planes!
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2017
- Messages
- 12,422
- City
- BC
- Country
- Canada
Many royal families (are allowed to) make use of non-government planes for private travel, so I think most royal families of a small country make less than 40 flights in a government plane a year.
Yes, many monarchs can travel by scheduled air. But looking at the Dutch RF for example I would say the Belgian monarch is travelling less. Likewise here in the UK the King uses RAF jets to travel to Scotland each time he goes, with fairly frequent return trips in between for various official events. I don’t think Philippe’s is the least nor the most use.
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2017
- Messages
- 12,422
- City
- BC
- Country
- Canada
The previous statement was about other royal families traveling more in 'government planes'. I agree that the British use the government planes (or other air travel) quite often (the country is also a bit larger than Belgium), however, the Dutch for example often fly commercially (while for some reason the Belgian king is supposed to use a military plane?!), so, I doubt they fly more often by government plane.
Nonetheless, the Belgian king keeps his personal air travel rather limited compared to many other royals (but I assume 4 holidays + 2 (3) family-related trips abroad still far exceeds the average number of foreign holidays/trips by most Belgian families):
- 2x holiday in France
- 1x holiday in Spain
- 1x holiday in Italy
- 1x anniversary celebration in France
- 1x visit to their son in Spain
They were in the UK for Elisabeth's graduation but I assume they traveled by train as that trip isn't on the list.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2017
- Messages
- 12,422
- City
- BC
- Country
- Canada
To avoid further derailing this thread about Philippe and Mathilde, I answered in this thread about Willem-Alexander and Máxima
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2005
- Messages
- 85,007
- Country
- Germany
The birthday post shared by the Palace:
www.instagram.com
Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "De Koningin wordt vandaag 52. Bedankt voor jullie warme verjaardagwensen in deze winterse tijden! 🎉 ————— La Reine fête ses 52 ans aujourd'hui. Merci pour vos vœux chaleureux en cette période hivernale! 🎉 ————— Die
1,643 likes, 47 comments - belgianroyalpalace on January 19, 2025: "De Koningin wordt vandaag 52. Bedankt voor jullie warme verjaardagwensen in deze winterse tijden! 🎉 ————— La Reine fête ses 52 ans aujourd'hui. Merci pour vos vœux chaleureux en cette période hivernale! 🎉 ————— Die Königin...
www.instagram.com
OP
OP
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2009
- Messages
- 47,432
- City
- An Iarmhí
- Country
- Ireland
A wonderful winter wonderland photograph to mark the queens birthday!
victor1319
Serene Highness
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2011
- Messages
- 1,248
- City
- Berlin
- Country
- Germany
King Philippe inbetween. The German economical publication "Wirtschaftswoche" reports.
WirtschaftsWoche
So there is money of the Russian Federation frozen in Belgium. The hefty sum of 210 billion €uro, which are formally owned by the Russian central bank.
Ukraine demands this money to bolster it's fight against Russia. Others like the German finance minister are against it and want it to continued to be frozen in Belgium. Now the Hungarian prime minister; Orban, wants the sanctions over this money to end and all of it given back to Russia.
If the now President of the United States of America, Trump, is to lift some sactions against Russia, then Orban demands this to happen immediatly.
And this is where the Belgian Monarch cames into play: He can block any sending of money from Belgium, because there is a law from 1944 still in effect, which allows him to do so. He has the last say!
One wonders, what he will do as an apolitical Head of State... Let us hope, there is no quarrel in the EU in the future over this money! Poor King Philippe!
WirtschaftsWoche
So there is money of the Russian Federation frozen in Belgium. The hefty sum of 210 billion €uro, which are formally owned by the Russian central bank.
Ukraine demands this money to bolster it's fight against Russia. Others like the German finance minister are against it and want it to continued to be frozen in Belgium. Now the Hungarian prime minister; Orban, wants the sanctions over this money to end and all of it given back to Russia.
If the now President of the United States of America, Trump, is to lift some sactions against Russia, then Orban demands this to happen immediatly.
And this is where the Belgian Monarch cames into play: He can block any sending of money from Belgium, because there is a law from 1944 still in effect, which allows him to do so. He has the last say!
One wonders, what he will do as an apolitical Head of State... Let us hope, there is no quarrel in the EU in the future over this money! Poor King Philippe!
Hannelore
Heir Presumptive
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2003
- Messages
- 2,606
- City
- Bruges
- Country
- Belgium
King Philippe isn't apolitical. He can't take any decisions without the backing of his government. Likewise, federal government can't pass or alter laws without Philippe's consent, ie signature.
hereditarytitles
Royal Highness
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2020
- Messages
- 1,621
- City
- cologne
- Country
- Germany
Interesting news. Unfortunately I couldn't read the article because of a paywall. There could be controversy within the EU, as we can already see with Orban. I trust that King Philippe and the Belgian government will resolve this in unison.I
victor1319
Serene Highness
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2011
- Messages
- 1,248
- City
- Berlin
- Country
- Germany
Well, yeah, normally! But the point here is, because of this law from 1944, it is in his hands alone! We will see: Is in doubt the Belgium government more important to the King then the eventual future majority of the European Union? Or will the EU enlist the King to stop the European friends of Russia?
Ahh, that is bad! Yesterday in was not behing a paywall, I checked.
Here is one with a slightly different tenor from "Fortune".
EU mulls 81-year-old decree signed by king of Belgium to block veto on Russia sanctions
Adda
Heir Presumptive
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2022
- Messages
- 2,703
- City
- London
- Country
- United Kingdom
On the occasion of The King's 65th birthday, a portrait (taken by Bas Bogaerts) has been released.
I like it very much
For his birthday, the King continues with his years-long Way of St. James pilgrimage.
The full article is quite nice actually.
soirmag.lesoir.be
I like it very much
For his birthday, the King continues with his years-long Way of St. James pilgrimage.
The full article is quite nice actually.
Le Palais dévoile une photo inédite du Roi pour ses 65 ans
Philippe fête ses 65 ans ce 15 avril. En pleine forme, et après douze ans de règne, il ne devrait pas passer la main avant une quinzaine d’années au moins.
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2017
- Messages
- 12,422
- City
- BC
- Country
- Canada
His birthday happens to be during holy week, which is when they traditionally continue their pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Linda_26
Courtier
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2022
- Messages
- 675
- City
- Turin
- Country
- Italy
A nice article indeed, thanks for sharing. I agree that if he continues to be in good health, he will certainly be King for at least 15 more yearsOn the occasion of The King's 65th birthday, a portrait (taken by Bas Bogaerts) has been released.
I like it very much
For his birthday, the King continues with his years-long Way of St. James pilgrimage.
The full article is quite nice actually.
Le Palais dévoile une photo inédite du Roi pour ses 65 ans
Philippe fête ses 65 ans ce 15 avril. En pleine forme, et après douze ans de règne, il ne devrait pas passer la main avant une quinzaine d’années au moins.
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2005
- Messages
- 85,007
- Country
- Germany
The birthday post on the Palace's social media:
www.instagram.com
And a lovely birthday project has been presented by Elisabeth, Eléonore, Gabriel and Emmanuel:
The questions can be sent in here:
www.instagram.com
Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "🥳 Vandaag wordt de Koning 65! Ter gelegenheid van zijn verjaardag delen we graag een nieuw portret van de Koning met jullie. ————— 🥳 Le Roi fête ses 65 ans aujourd'hui! À l'occasion de son anniversaire, nous sommes
9,208 likes, 289 comments - belgianroyalpalace on April 14, 2025: "🥳 Vandaag wordt de Koning 65! Ter gelegenheid van zijn verjaardag delen we graag een nieuw portret van de Koning met jullie. ————— 🥳 Le Roi fête ses 65 ans aujourd'hui! À l'occasion de son anniversaire, nous sommes heureux de...
www.instagram.com
And a lovely birthday project has been presented by Elisabeth, Eléonore, Gabriel and Emmanuel:
The questions can be sent in here:
Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "⁉️ Quelle question avez-vous toujours rêvé de poser au Roi ? ➡️ Envoyez votre question avant le 24 avril sur www.leroirepond.be et peut-être que le Roi y répondra dans un message vidéo ! 👀 #LeRoiRepond"
936 likes, 21 comments - belgianroyalpalace on April 15, 2025: "⁉️ Quelle question avez-vous toujours rêvé de poser au Roi ? ➡️ Envoyez votre question avant le 24 avril sur www.leroirepond.be et peut-être que le Roi y répondra dans un message vidéo ! 👀 #LeRoiRepond".
www.instagram.com
Blog Real
Imperial Majesty
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2013
- Messages
- 16,285
- City
- Lisboa
- Country
- Portugal
How beautiful this project of the 4 children of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde
leidi
Serene Highness
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2012
- Messages
- 1,137
- City
- ....
- Country
- United Arab Emirates
The PR strategy of the Belgian Royal House is SO good, they try to make sure people know their monarch and to feel "involved" with him, which is great, specially with a man who's a bit introverted like Philippe, this has helped people to understand him much better.
Adda
Heir Presumptive
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2022
- Messages
- 2,703
- City
- London
- Country
- United Kingdom
Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "🚶♀️🚶♂️Net als duizenden andere wandelaars legt de Koninklijke Familie sinds 2017 elk jaar rond Pasen een stuk af van de beroemde ‘Camino de Santiago’. Dit jaar voltooien ze hun wandeltocht en komen ze aan op hu
22K likes, 285 comments - belgianroyalpalace on April 16, 2025: "🚶♀️🚶♂️Net als duizenden andere wandelaars legt de Koninklijke Familie sinds 2017 elk jaar rond Pasen een stuk af van de beroemde ‘Camino de Santiago’. Dit jaar voltooien ze hun wandeltocht en komen ze aan op hun eindbestemming...
www.instagram.com
And here's some wonderful photos
Kudos to Prince Emmanuel, who sprained his ankle en route and arrived on crutches.
Very proud of this Christian family that does not hide it's Christian fervour, especially during Holy Week. Also nice to know where they're at.
Plenty of photos here also:
La famille royale belge est arrivée à Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle et partage les derniers kilomètres de son pèlerinage en photos
Le palais royal a partagé des photos rares du roi Philippe et de la reine Mathilde en famille sur le chemin de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle
histoiresroyales.fr
I found this one to be highly symbolic.
EL CORREO GALLEGO has learned that the Royal Family and their friends will participate in the Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Cathedral this Thursday, where they will be received by the Archbishop of Santiago, Monsignor Francisco José Prieto.
Los reyes de Bélgica llegan a Santiago con su familia tras completar el Camino que iniciaron en 2017 en Roncesvalles
Están alojados en el Hostal de los Reyes Católicos y este Jueves Santo participarán en la Misa de la Cena del Señor en la Catedral
www.elcorreogallego.es
Tatiana Maria
Majesty
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2013
- Messages
- 7,625
- City
- St Petersburg
- Country
- United States
Interesting that the pilgrimage's completion is announced on the official Instagram; I would have assumed the family's religious activities were considered private.
Blog Real
Imperial Majesty
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2013
- Messages
- 16,285
- City
- Lisboa
- Country
- Portugal
More photos:
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2005
- Messages
- 85,007
- Country
- Germany
What a wonderful years-long family project this has been!!
** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery ** ppe gallery **
)
www.hola.com
** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery ** ppe gallery **
Los Reyes de Bélgica finalizan el Camino de Santiago junto a sus hijos: sus mejores imágenes como peregrinos
Su estancia en Galicia se alargará para disfrutar de las tradiciones españolas de Semana Santa
www.hola.com
Philippe et Mathilde de Belgique en famille, leur arrivée à Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle... presque indemnes
Dernière ligne droite ! Le roi Philippe et la reine Mathilde de Belgique, accompagnés de trois de leurs enfants, ont achevé, le 16 avril 2025, leur pèlerinage de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. Un parcours entamé il y a huit ans, très souvent en famille, que le prince Emmanuel a terminé...en...
www.pointdevue.fr
PrincessofEurope
Heir Apparent
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2006
- Messages
- 4,050
- City
- Wiltshire
- Country
- United Kingdom
Lovely to see this update and pictures of the family at Santiago finishing their Camino
crm2317
Heir Presumptive
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2006
- Messages
- 2,958
- City
- Belfast
- Country
- United Kingdom
Lovely to see the King and Queen holding hands!
OP
OP
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2009
- Messages
- 47,432
- City
- An Iarmhí
- Country
- Ireland
What a lovely untied family and taking part in the Camino de Santiago again during Holy Week too!
maria-olivia
Majesty
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2006
- Messages
- 8,728
- City
- Brussels
- Country
- Belgium
This is the will of a lot of people . Our Royal family , they started on 2017 finished now and how proud they are! lovely pictures . Princess Elisabeth is still in Harvard , she will do her last round later. Prince Emmanuel broke his ankle the day of his father birthday !
Adda
Heir Presumptive
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2022
- Messages
- 2,703
- City
- London
- Country
- United Kingdom
They're already at the cathedral, Prince Emmanuel is in a wheelchair.
Arrival
www.anpfoto.nl
Plenty of photos here, arriving without much fuss
www.diariodesantiago.es
www.instagram.com
www.instagram.com
www.instagram.com
A little video of the family arriving in Santiago
www.instagram.com
A video of the family exiting the cathedral and posing for the journalists
www.instagram.com
Arrival
Belgium's royal couple visit Spain
epa12036982 Belgian Queen Mathilde (L) and King Philippe of Belgium (R) arrive to visit and participate in a religious event at the Santiago de Compostela's cathedral in Galicia region, Spain, 17 April 2025. The royal couple completed on 16 April the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route...
www.anpfoto.nl
Plenty of photos here, arriving without much fuss
La familia real de Bélgica culmina el Camino de Santiago tras ocho años de peregrinación - Diario de Santiago. Noticias de Santiago de Compostela y Galicia.
La familia real de Bélgica ha finalizado esta Semana Santa un peregrinaje de ocho años por el Camino de Santiago con una emotiva ceremonia en la […]
www.diariodesantiago.es
Cofre Real on Instagram: "El príncipe Emmanuel de Bélgica en Santiago de Compostela. Follow @cofrereal for more. #New #instaroyal #instaroyals #belgianroyalfamily #belgianroyals #royalgram #royalfans #europeanroyalty #europeanroyals #instagram #tb
197 likes, 3 comments - cofrereal on April 17, 2025: "El príncipe Emmanuel de Bélgica en Santiago de Compostela. Follow @cofrereal for more. #New #instaroyal #instaroyals #belgianroyalfamily #belgianroyals #royalgram #royalfans #europeanroyalty #europeanroyals #instagram #tbt #belgique #New...
www.instagram.com
Cofre Real on Instagram: "Con los Reyes de los Belgas en Santiago de Compostela. Follow @cofrereal for more. #New #instaroyal #instaroyals #belgianroyalfamily #belgianroyals #royalgram #royalfans #europeanroyalty #europeanroyals #instagram #tbt #b
329 likes, 2 comments - cofrereal on April 17, 2025: "Con los Reyes de los Belgas en Santiago de Compostela. Follow @cofrereal for more. #New #instaroyal #instaroyals #belgianroyalfamily #belgianroyals #royalgram #royalfans #europeanroyalty #europeanroyals #instagram #tbt #belgique #New #news...
www.instagram.com
Cofre Real on Instagram: "La Familia Real belga en Santiago de Compostela. Follow @cofrereal for more. #New #instaroyal #instaroyals #belgianroyalfamily #belgianroyals #royalgram #royalfans #europeanroyalty #europeanroyals #instagram #tbt #belgique
744 likes, 16 comments - cofrereal on April 17, 2025: "La Familia Real belga en Santiago de Compostela. Follow @cofrereal for more. #New #instaroyal #instaroyals #belgianroyalfamily #belgianroyals #royalgram #royalfans #europeanroyalty #europeanroyals #instagram #tbt #belgique #New #news...
www.instagram.com
A little video of the family arriving in Santiago
G24noticias on Instagram: "👑 SANTIAGO Filipe e Matilde de Bélxica culminan o Camiño, esta vez acompañados dos príncipes Gabriel, Emmanuel e Eleonore #galego #TVG #G24 #G24noticias #G24gal Filipe e Matilde de Bélxica chegaron este mércores á praza d
4,440 likes, 104 comments - g24noticias on April 16, 2025: "👑 SANTIAGO Filipe e Matilde de Bélxica culminan o Camiño, esta vez acompañados dos príncipes Gabriel, Emmanuel e Eleonore #galego #TVG #G24 #G24noticias #G24gal Filipe e Matilde de Bélxica chegaron este mércores á praza do Obradoiro...
www.instagram.com
A video of the family exiting the cathedral and posing for the journalists
Royalty Around The World on Instagram: "Belgian royal family attended mass in Cathedral Santiago de Compostela, Spain. #belgianroyalfamily #belgianroyals #princegabriel #princeemmanuel #princesseleonore #caminodesantiago #santiagodecompostela #pilgr
16K likes, 70 comments - lascasasreales on April 17, 2025: "Belgian royal family attended mass in Cathedral Santiago de Compostela, Spain. #belgianroyalfamily #belgianroyals #princegabriel #princeemmanuel #princesseleonore #caminodesantiago #santiagodecompostela #pilgrimage #romancatholic...
www.instagram.com
Last edited:
Similar threads
- Sticky
