She is exquisitely gentle, greeting each of the guests with “How are you?” » almost whispered. In a midnight blue dress by Edward Vermeulen – her favorite designer – Mathilde is sublime. No tiara for Her Majesty – in the republic, she was not going to be the only one to wear one -, nor a bow tie for the gentlemen… The President of the European Council Charles Michel even had it reconfirmed on two occasions that he should not not wear a tuxedo. The atmosphere is certainly relaxed, but this state dinner does not lack splendor.
It is 7:30 p.m. when on the steps of the palace, the president and his wife – magnificent in a Louis Vuitton sheath – welcome the royal couple. They only parted a few hours earlier – their morning had been punctuated by a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe and an interview – but the reunion was warm.
King Philippe of the Belgians and Emmanuel Macron at the state dinner at the Elysée.
Eric Tschaen- Pool/SIPA
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© Eric Tschaen- Pool/SIPA
Prince Gabriel, youngest son of the king and queen, is also there. This is the first time he has accompanied his parents to a state dinner. So, he observes, exchanges a few knowing glances with his father and mother. Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron inquire about his studies: at 21, Gabriel has just joined the Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan Military Academy, as part of an Erasmus exchange. Mathilde thought that the school was located near Versailles but was surprised to learn that it was in Brittany. In Morbihan exactly. “It’s colder there,” confirms Gabriel. Mom before being queen, Mathilde confides that when Gabriel was getting his skydiving certificate, she lost sleep.
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“A friendship between neighbors and cousins”
The king, the queen and the presidential couple make their entrance into the ballroom of the Élysée to the tune of “Semélé”, an opera by Marin Marais. It’s time for speeches. “Welcoming Belgium, for France, is a bit like celebrating a family reunion and a neighbors’ celebration all at the same time,” begins Emmanuel Macron. It is an understatement to say that our two countries are close. Our land border is the longest that France has in Europe, and the most invisible: no river, no sea, no mountain between us, no demarcation or barrier that crystallizes a here and a beyond, except perhaps the expression “outside Quiévrain” to recall what was the terminus station for Belgian and French customs officers on the railway line between Paris and Brussels. »
In his turn, Philippe of Belgium salutes “this friendship between neighbors and cousins”: “General de Gaulle celebrated it magnificently in these very places, during the visit of King Baudoin in 1961.”
Prince Gabriel next to the French president during his speech.
Eric Tschaen- Pool/SIPA
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© Eric Tschaen- Pool/SIPA
In their two speeches, the king and the president cannot help but allude to the France-Belgium football match which is being played in Brussels at the same time. “As our national football teams compete, it is in the same spirit of friendship and fair play that we will vibrate,” continues Philippe. Although, of course, I secretly hope for a victory… I say secretly because our best players are not playing tonight. » A wish quickly swept away since the Blues won two goals to one over the Red Devils.
These Belgians who make France shine
The result obviously did not spoil the evening. On the menu concocted by Michelin-starred chef Georges Blanc, under the coordination of Fabrice Desvignes, chef of the Élysée kitchens: blue lobster, eggplant confit with Breton curry, fragrant herb emulsion; Bresse chicken with porcini mushrooms and savagnin, vonnassian pancakes; cheeses from the house Antony, Galochard and Charolais; Grand Cru chocolate pod and remontant raspberries.
The dinner takes place to the sound of clinking glasses of rosé champagne and the string orchestra of the Republican Guard. The musical program stays on the theme: we revisit Brel, Stromae and even Angèle, these Belgians who we shamelessly wanted to pass off as French because of their talent.
The tables were named after different castles in our two countries. The one where we have the most fun? The “Chambord” certainly, where the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, tells hilarious stories and even decides to spin the napkins when the orchestra starts playing “L’Envie” by Johnny Hallyday. One of the president’s favorite songs, we are told, that he never tires of listening to.
Dinner is coming to an end. After a tour of the room for a few final greetings, the royal couple leaves the Élysée. Prince Gabriel must not go to bed too late: tomorrow he goes back to school.
