On the afternoon of May 18, 2022, His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium attended the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Belgian Navy in the port of Antwerp.
The celebrations began with a fleet parade organized as part of the Fleet Days. Nine ships from the Belgian and Dutch navies sailed down the Scheldt River to highlight the excellent bilateral cooperation between the naval components of both countries. According to the Dutch Ministry of Defense, the Dutch and Belgian navies have been:
“…working together since 1948. In that year, the two countries agreed that their navies would operate under single command during times of war. This informal agreement was formalized on February 7, 1996, and is valid during both peacetime and war.”
On the morning of Monday, May 8, 2022, Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium began their three-day state visit to Greece at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Greece, Her Excellency Katerina Sakellaropoulou. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations and investments, especially in the field of energy and renewable sources.
Upon their arrival at Athens International Airport, Their Majesties were warmly welcomed by a representative of the government of the Hellenic Republic. After the traditional inspection of the Guard of Honor, Their Majesties were welcomed by various Greek officials as well as members from the Belgian Embassy in Athens.
Soon, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde arrived at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier whereupon they placed a wreath and held a moment of silence.
In the afternoon, Their Majesties arrived at the Presidential Palace in Athens where they were warmly greeted by the President of the Hellenic Republic of Greece, Her Excellency Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and her partner, Mr. Pavols Kotsonis. After the national anthems were played, another inspection of the Guard of Honor, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were ushered into the Presidential Palace where they participated in the tradition of exchanging gifts.
Their Majesties also met with the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic of Greece, His Excellency Kyriakos Mitsotakis this afternoon. Discussions focused on regional and international developments along with immigration.
In the evening, there was a gala dinner hosted by President Sakellaropoulou in honor of Their Majesties visit to Greece.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, April 20, 2022, His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium visited the City Pirates, in Antwerp, Belgium.
The City Pirates is a social football project that supports more than 1,400 young people in Antwerp. Football is the driving force behind social work, including home and school visits, homework supervision, guidance towards student work, workshops, music, and dance.
On Monday, March 21, 2022, Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium welcomed the President of the Republic of Austria, His Excellency Alexander Van der Bellen, and First Lady Her Excellency Mrs. Doris Schmidauer, to the Palais Royal in Brussels. President Van der Bellen and his wife were invited to Belgium for a three-day state visit. This is the first state visit between Austria and Belgium since 1997, but also the first incoming state visit to Belgium since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
After warm greetings were given and the Belgian as well as Austrian national anthems were played His Majesty King Philippe and President Van der Bellen, per tradition, participated in inspecting the Guard of Honor.
This evening there will be an official state dinner at Château de Laeken.
Click the link below to view a photo gallery from PPE:
On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium received credentials from new ambassadors at the Palais Royal de Bruxelles. The ambassadors are: From Senegal, His Excellency Mr. Baye Moctar Diop, from Ireland His Excellency Mr. Kevin Conmy, from Vatican City His Excellency Mr. Franco Coppola, and from the United States of America His Excellency Mr. Michael M. Adler.
The Royal Correspondent 