King Philippe and Queen Mathilde ended a three-day state visit to France late Wednesday afternoon. A military farewell ceremony took place on the Place de la République in Lille, around 6:00 p.m., before the sovereigns returned to the Flat Country.
The last hours of the state visit were devoted to the capital of Hauts-de-France, directly involved in a long-standing cross-border collaboration via the Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai Eurometropolis. The Eurometropolis brings together 155 Flemish, Walloon and French municipalities and 2.2 million inhabitants.
At midday, the royal couple was received at the Lille Opera by the city’s mayor, Martine Aubry, the Minister of Housing Valérie Létard and the regional prefect Bertrand Gaume. The opportunity for a “crowd bath” moment on the Place du Théâtre, where several hundred people crowded behind the Nadar barriers under a beautiful sun, to greet the arrival of the King and Queen of the Belgians, small flags Belgian by hand for some.
The lunch provided an opportunity to discuss long-term unemployment and industry, according to Martine Aubry.
After a visit to EuraTechnologies Lille, where the building of a former spinning factory was transformed into a real digital campus, with spaces for startups and innovation companies, the King and Queen ended their stay at the building of the Northern prefecture.
Along the Place de la République, dozens of curious people were also gathered to witness the departure of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, including children who raised their voices to make a few “Long live the Queen!” »
Philippe and Mathilde on a state visit to France: this strange photo of the royal couple which is causing trouble… (photo)
The royal couple made the first state visit to France since 2003, with a desire “to strengthen the strong bond between Belgium and France, a partner of strategic importance in all areas”, according to the Foreign Affairs communication. The activities aimed to highlight cooperation projects, and a desire “to further deepen economic and commercial relations between our two countries and at the European level – particularly in the field of energy transition and defense –, as well as cooperation in the academic and cultural fields. »
