Philippe and Mathilde arrived at the state dinner at the Élysée. The sovereign couple was welcomed by Emmanuel Macron.
In all, 180 guests will be invited to the dinner of our memories at the Élysée. Among the guests, around the king, the queen and the Macron couple, there is the royal couple’s son, Prince Gabriel, who is undergoing military training in France, but also Prime Minister Alexandre De Croo. The royal couple arrived in the courtyard of the Élysée around 8 p.m. King Philippe spoke at the start of this meal.
In his speech, delivered after that of Emmanuel Macron, King Philippe wanted to emphasize the importance of links “so special“which unite France and Belgium,”all the more valuable in these times when the world seems to be becoming more fragmented“. Belgians and French are “linked by a deep and sincere friendship” et “have always found a common path, paved with shared projects“, notes the sovereign.
In this regard, he quotes General de Gaulle, who received King Baudouin within the walls of the same Elysée Palace in 1961: “Since the visit of Albert the First, there have been only reasons between Belgium and France to esteem each other, to ally and love each other.” “However, nothing should be taken for granted“, he warns: the conflict in Ukraine, environmental challenges, pandemics, highlight the interest in collaboration between countries on all these levels.
Solutions to global challenges”demand ever closer European collaboration“. “If we want our nations to shine more, it is urgent to build together this strategic, energy and industrial autonomy, this European sovereignty that you already defended in 2017, and which today we wish to see fully embodied.“, he insists.
“In this world plagued by uncertainty, I would like to plead for a burst of responsibility on the part of all of us“, he concludes. “‘Fate is no one, responsibility is someone,” wrote Paul Ricoeur. (…) It is time, more than ever, to take charge of our common destiny and to fully assume our role in the reorganization of the world.“
What is the program?
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde arrived this Monday morning in Paris. This three-day state visit began this morning with a very solemn welcome at the Arc de Triomphe. This Monday afternoon, cooperation agreements in European politics, culture, defense but also police and customs collaboration between the two countries were on the menu.
King Philippe and French Prime Minister Michel Barnier already know each other since the new tenant of Matignon spent 15 years in Belgium as European commissioner. Suffice to say that the two men know each other well.
King Philippe Queen Mathilde Royal Family France State Visit
