The King and Queen of the Belgians began a three-day state visit to France this Monday, October 14, 2024. Their first day ended with a state dinner at the Elysée Palace. An event in which Philippe and Mathilde from Belgium were joined by their son, Gabriel.
A very warm welcome was given to them yesterday for their arrival in Paris. Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were waiting for Philippe and Mathilde of Belgium at the Arc de Triomphe to welcome them. For three days, the King and Queen of the Belgians will hold several meetings in France in order in particular “to deepen the bilateral defense and security relationship, the density of economic and commercial exchanges as well as academic, scientific and innovation cooperation, which contribute to European sovereignty”. This official trip is also an opportunity to celebrate the fraternal friendship that unites the two countries. On the Champs-Elysées, the reunion between the two couples was warm. Sublime in her Dior outfit, the mother of Crown Princess Elisabeth was very complicit with the first lady, while the President of the Republic and the monarch together reviewed the troops.
After an interview with the presidential couple and then another with Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his wife, it was time for Philippe and Mathilde of Belgium to separate for new commitments. The son of King Albert II went to Les Invalides while his wife joined Brigitte Macron at the Opéra Garnier in the afternoon. On its Instagram account, the royal house indicates that this French institution “counts within it, dancers and costume designers”. The Queen of the Belgians and the first lady therefore went to meet them.
Prince Emmanuel of Belgium does not go unnoticed
To close this first day, a state dinner was organized at the Elysée Palace in the evening. Stéphane Bern, weather presenter Tatiana Silva, Bernard Arnault, Gérald Darmanin and his wife… many personalities were also invited. Philippe and Mathilde from Belgium arrived with a special guest: Prince Gabriel, their 21-year-old son.
If he did not pose with the couple, a photo of the young man in the company of Emmanuel Macron, attracted attention. “Wow how big Gabriel!”wrote a user on social networks. In the photo, the brother of Elisabeth, Eléonore and Emmanuel appears much taller than the President of the Republic with whom he is shaking hands. Another detail then intrigued subscribers of the Belgian royal family. “Why is Prince Gabriel standing far away at the finish?”we can read in the comments. The silhouette of the young man appears in the background of a photo of the Belgian king and queen with the presidential couple. Probably so as not to cast a shadow…
To view the photos, click here.
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