On March 10, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium began their six-day economic mission to Vietnam.
The visit, organized by the Agency for International Trade in collaboration with AWEX, Flanders Investments & Trade, and Brussels Invest & Export, aims to promote a positive image of Belgium according to the royal court, La Monarchie Belge.
On March 7, 2012, Their Majesties King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium visited the town of Waremme in the province of Liège.
The reigning couple were welcomed to the town by the Mayor, Guy Coëme, and Minister of Education, Ms. Marie-Dominique Simonet at the City Hall. Whilst there Their Majesties, along with local dignitaries, celebrated the 25th anniversary the Conseil Communal des Enfants “… created in 1987 it was the first of its kind in Belgium…” according to various sources.
Afterward, King Albert II and Queen Paola visited the Bettincourt Language Immersion School where they interacted with students who are currently learning Dutch “…until their fourth year of primary education.”
Click the links below to watch videos as well as to view photos.
Sources: La Monarchie Belge and 7sur7
On March 6, 2012, Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium was in Schaerbeek to visit Maison des Femmes de Schaerbeek (House of women of Schaerbeek) whereupon she participated various workshops as well as a roundtable discussion with the managers as well as partners of this project.
House of Women of Schaerbeek is a place where women of all ethnicities as well as ages can meet, exchange ideas, participate in various classes as well as workshops to help improve their lives.
Click here to watch a video clip. (in French)
Source: La Monarchie Belge
On March 4, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium were in the town of Rupelmonde to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Gerard De Kremer (Gerardus Mercator).
During today’s celebrations the prince and princess placed flowers at the statue of Gerard De Kremer (Gerardus Mercator), who is best known for Mercator Projection World Map, in the town square as well as met with dozens of well-wishers.
Click here to watch a video clip. (slow loading)
Source: La Monarchie Belge
On February 28, 2012, Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium was in Eke, to visit the educational center, Pedagogisch Centrum Wagenschot. This center provides support, and in many cases, a home for the youth who have serious emotional as well as behavioral disorders.
Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Philippe of Belgium attended the 2nd Annual Prix Développement Durable Pour la Presse-CFDD Awards held at the Residence Palais in Brussels.
Source: La Monarchie Belge
On February 27, 2012, Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium attended the Brussels Alliance to Protect Children in and out of Emergencies held at the Palais d’Egmont in Brussels.
During today’s conference, organized by the Palais d’Egmont and UNICEF, the future Queen of Belgium gave a speech regarding the importance of protecting the youth around the world as well as in Belgium.
Source: La Monarchie Belge
On February 16, 2012, Their Majesties King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium along with Queen Fabiola, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde, T.I.R.H.s Prince Lorenz and Princess Astrid, T.R.H.s Princess Claire and Prince Laurent of Belgium attended Mass at L’église Notre-Dame in Laeken.
The purpose of today’s Mass was to honor and remember deceased members of the Belgian royal family.
Source: La Monarchie Belge
Photo courtesy of Daylife/Reuters
The Royal Correspondent 