Philippe and Mathilde of Belgium celebrate their silver wedding anniversary this December 4, the opportunity for the couple to unveil new portraits, hand in hand and on the road to the future.
On December 4, 1999, Prince Philippe of Belgium married Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz, a young Belgian speech therapist, during a large ceremony organized in the Sts-Michel-et-Gudule cathedral in Brussels. 25 years later, the couple now reign over Belgium but do not forget this important date.
This Wednesday, to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, the Belgian Royal Palace revealed two photos of Philippe and Mathilde. The images, obviously taken in the gardens of the Laeken castle where the couple resides, show the king and queen strolling hand in hand. A gesture of public affection rare enough to be noted, the spouses having in fact rather a tendency to play modesty, even departing from the traditional kiss on the balcony on their wedding day.
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For this special photo session, the queen chose to give a nod to the young wife she was, opting for a white outfit signed Natan, the fashion house of Édouard Vermeulen, the designer who was also at the origin of her wedding dress. This time, however, no dress per se, but a jumpsuit accessorized with an organza cape. A look already worn twice by Mathilde during the year 2024.
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« Still counting »
In the caption of this publication, the Palace writes “the King and Queen celebrate their silver wedding anniversary today. 25 years of a happy marriage. » and adds “and still counting!” » which could be translated as “and many more to come”, Philippe and Mathilde obviously having every intention of spending at least another 25 years together.
After a quarter of a century of union, the couple still has a lot to live for. After discovering the life of young parents in 2001 with the birth of Elisabeth, the couple welcomed three other children between 2003 and 2008. Of the four, only the youngest, Éléonore, still lives with her parents, the three eldest are left to lead their young adult lives abroad.
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Elisabeth studies at the prestigious American university of Harvard, Gabriel continues his military training at the St-Cyr Coëtquidan academy and Emmanuel trains to become a professional footballer in Spain. For their 25 years of union, Philippe and Mathilde are gradually returning to life as a young couple while continuing to master their roles as monarchs, the sovereign having succeeded his father, Albert II, in 2013.
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