On the evening of Monday, December 14, 2015, Their Imperial and Royal Highnesses Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este and Prince Lorenz of Belgium accompanied by TI&RHs Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este and Princess Elisabetta of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este attended the Roll Back Malaria farewell reception held at Château de Val-Duchesse in Auderghem.

Since 2007 Princess Astrid has been the Special Representative to the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM).

Click here to view photos.

On the morning of Tuesday, December 15, 2015, Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited the charity organization, Resto du Coeur, in Charleroi.

Established in 1985 Resto du Coeur provides hot meals in a large warm building to homeless individuals and families. Each day over 250 meals are prepared and served by dozens of volunteers.

Click here to watch a video news report.  

Please click the links below to view photos as well as to watch another video.

VIDEO, Photo Gallery, Photo Gallery 2

On Saturday, December 12, 2015, Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attended a special Mass at the Sint-Romboutskathedraal (St. Rumbold’s Cathedral) in Mechelen for the new Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Msgr. Jozef De Kesel.  Last month, November 6, His Holiness Pope Francis named Msgr. Jozef De Kesel to succeed Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard.

Twenty bishops, 140 priests and 30 deacons presided over this afternoon’s Eucharistic celebrations which was attended by over 250 people including Belgian politicians, religious leaders, and of course the faithful.

Click here to view photos.

On the afternoon of Thursday, December 10, 2015, His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium attended the 11th Edition of the Prix Belgodyssée for Young Journalists held at the Palais Royal in Brussels.

Established in 2004, the Belgodyssée is an initiative of Belgian Public Radio network, VRT VivaCité, and the Fonds Prince Philippe, in collaboration with the Belgian newspapers Metro and L’Avenir as well as with the support of the Chancellerie du Premier Ministre and Brussels Airlines.

The overall goal of the prize is to promote collaboration among future journalists of the three communities within the country.  Held under the theme, New Forms of Solidarity, sixteen young journalists traveled throughout Belgium producing variety of reports for radio and print media while sharing their experiences on social media.

Click here to view photos.

On Tuesday, December 8, 2015, Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium hosted a reception at the Palais Royal in Brussels for newly appointed suppliers holding the Fournisseurs Brevetes de la Cour (royal warrant of appointment).

Click here to watch a video. 

Photo courtesy of the Belgian royal court

On the morning of December 3, 2015, Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium presided over a meeting at the Palais Royal in Brussels.  Discussions focused on social integration, the prevention of radicalization, and the follow-up of radicalized young people according to the Belgian royal court.

In the afternoon, His Majesty participated in a meeting with the First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans.

Photo courtesy of the Belgian royal court

On Wednesday, December 2, 2015, His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium visited the Walloon Parliament in Namur to celebrate its 35th anniversary as well as its 20th anniversary of the first direct election of its members.

Photo courtesy of the Belgian royal court