King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and Family, General News 3, Dec 2023 -

[BJB]

Also, a nice little detail on the video: The background music is from Hans Zimmer.

 

[Marengo]

A wonderful photo, Eléonore now seems taller than her parents. Most RF´s seem to use the summer to make these photos for christmas, which is fine of course but somehow not very christmas-y.

 

[An Ard Ri]

A wonderful photo of the Royal Family for this years Christmas Card!

 

[Adda]

In a few moments, the annual Christmas concert of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde begins.

Also in attendance: Princess Elisabeth (back from US for Christmas) and Princess Eléonore. No Prince Gabriël and Prince Emmanuel due to their studies.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2001334720219746410

As every year, the King and Queen wanted to thank those who helped them with their activities in 2025. They treated their guests to a concert that will also be broadcast on VRT 1 on December 25th.

Two of their children were there. Elisabeth has just returned from the United States, where she is studying at the prestigious Harvard University. And Eléonore still lives at home. She is in her final year of secondary school at an English-language private school in Watermael-Boitsfort.

Prince Gabriel (22) and Prince Emmanuel (20) were prevented from attending by their studies. The eldest son is in his fourth year at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels and is only home on weekends. The youngest is currently studying in Leuven (International Business Management and Marketing at UCLL University College).

Gezinshereniging op het paleis: stralende prinses Elisabeth vergezelt Filip en Mathilde tijdens kerstconcert

Koning Filip (65) en koningin Mathilde (52) hebben hun jaarlijkse kerstconcert georganiseerd in het koninklijk paleis. Daarbij werden ze vergezeld door hun dochters kroonprinses Elisabeth (24) en prinses Eléonore (17). Vooral naar de aanwezigheid van Elisabeth werd uitgekeken: zij is voor de...

www.hln.be

Here they are...

https://twitter.com/x/status/2001344373599146014

https://twitter.com/x/status/2001345001658388880

 

[maria-olivia]

500 Guests to day for the Christmas celebration at the Royal Palace. The family was reduced .
Only King Philippe and Queen Mathilde , Elisabeth and Eléonore. Gabriel and Emannuel had to study.
Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz, Prince Laurent and Princess Claire were invited but refused to attend.

 

[iceflower]

Here are photos of the Christmas concert today:


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

Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "✨Le Roi, la Reine, la Princesse Élisabeth et la Princesse Éléonore reçoivent quelques 550 invités ce soir au Palais royal pour le concert de Noël. 🎵 @musicchapel, @bryggenbrugesstrings, de @mosaballetschool, @typh

11K likes, 128 comments - belgianroyalpalace on December 17, 2025: "✨Le Roi, la Reine, la Princesse Élisabeth et la Princesse Éléonore reçoivent quelques 550 invités ce soir au Palais royal pour le concert de Noël. 🎵 @musicchapel, @bryggenbrugesstrings, de @mosaballetschool, @typhbarrow...

www.instagram.com

Kroonprinses Elisabeth even terug van Harvard voor de feestdagen, ze vergezelt haar ouders en zus bij kerstconcert | VRT NWS: nieuws

Koning Filip en koningin Mathilde hebben hun jaarlijks kerstconcert georganiseerd in het Koninklijk Paleis in Brussel. Het was vooral uitkijken naar de terugkeer van kroonprinses Elisabeth (24). Ze is eventjes terug uit de Verenigde Staten voor de feestdagen. Ook haar zus prinses Eléonore (17)...

www.vrt.be

https://twitter.com/x/status/2001390508992532756

La Familia Real belga y los secretos del concierto con el que ha arrancado la Navidad: del consejo de la reina Matilde a las ausencias

Las princesas Elisabeth y Eléonore han sido las dos grandes protagonistas de una noche mágica

www.hola.com

Princess Elisabeth steals the show in Rebecca Vallance midi dress at family event – photos

Princess Elisabeth joined members of the Belgian royal family for a Christmas event on Wednesday, and the royal looked stunning in a Rebecca Vallance midi dress

www.hellomagazine.com

 

[An Ard Ri]

What a shame that the kings siblings and inlaws did not attend the annual concert.

 

[maria-olivia]

. We don't understand not a whole Family for Chrstmas. Belgium is the only not united Royal Family since ever.

 

[maria-olivia]

They said on TV Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz , Prince Laurent and Princess Claire refused to attend the Christmas concert. I was myself surprised.

 

[Marengo]

Did the tv commentator say why they refused to attend?

 

[tommy100]

"refused" is a strong word in English that could suggests almost a protest action? Or did they mean they just don't show up?

 

[maria-olivia]

My english is not good , it is not a protest , perhaps they wanted the Royal family being alone.
TV said "ls ont décliné l'invitation d'assister au concert " They should have said nothing.

 

[Somebody]

So, they declined the invitation for unknown reasons.

 

[Hannelore]

It was a way to say the others had been invited, but the reason why they weren't there wasn't mentioned.
This happens quite often.

 

[maria-olivia]

So no Belgian Royal Family Christmas !

 

[W.Y.CII]

(I'm not sure if it's the right thread for this) I just came across this lovely video on Instagram of the conversation between Mathilde, Philippe, and veteran George, from the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in 2024 :

BEST DEFENSE FOUNDATION on Instagram: "Our programs can get a little intense. It’s funny moments like this that help balance everything out. 101st #airborne #veteran, George Mullins, met the king and queen of #belgium at the @belgianroyalpalace in 20

Discover the touching story of George Mullins, a WWII veteran who attends the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and meets the King and Queen. A conversation with the King leads to a heartwarming moment when George discovers his royalty.

www.instagram.com

 

[Adda]

Queen Mathilde turns 53 this Tuesday, January 20. To mark the occasion, the Royal Palace unveiled three new portraits of her. The photos were taken by photographer Vlad VDK during the state visit to Chile in June 2025.

First photo
Second photo
Third photo

 

[aliocha]

Belgian authorities have confirmed that a sophisticated fraud scheme is currently targeting prominent individuals and business leaders by impersonating King Philippe of Belgium and senior officials close to the Royal Household.


According to the federal prosecutor and the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium, since early 2025 fraudsters have contacted foreign dignitaries, Belgian families and CEOs via email, WhatsApp and telephone. They falsely claimed to be King Philippe, his Chief of Cabinet Vincent Houssiau, or Major-General Stéphane Dutron (head of Belgium’s military intelligence service), requesting financial support under various pretexts — including the alleged release of Belgian journalists supposedly held hostage in Syria.


The victims were reportedly carefully selected based on their real or presumed links to the Belgian monarchy. While most recipients ignored the requests, authorities confirmed that at least one victim transferred money.


In early 2026, the scam escalated further with the use of AI-generated “deepfake” videos, in which some targets were invited to what appeared to be video meetings with the King himself. Others received fraudulent invitations to fictitious gala dinners allegedly organised by the King Baudouin Foundation, accompanied by requests for financial contributions.


Belgian federal prosecutors, the Federal Computer Crime Unit (FCCU) and other specialised police services are currently investigating the case. The authorities stress that any request for money claiming to come from the King, the Royal Palace or the King Baudouin Foundation is fraudulent and should be reported to Safeonweb.be.

---

Sources​

• Belgian Federal Prosecutor & Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (official statements)
• Belga
• RTL Info (24 January 2026)
• Business AM (24 January 2026)
• VRT NWS
• Yahoo News (Olivia Micenmacher, 25 January 2026)