The Belgian Monarchy Current Events and News Part 2

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Welcome to Part 2 of the Belgian Monarchy Current Events and News. The previous thread can be found linked below.

The Belgian Monarchy Current Events

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Queen Mathilde visits Institut Jules Bordet to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month ? UFO No More

On Monday, Queen Mathilde visited the Institut Jules Bordet to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She toured the university hospital which is entirely dedicated to the fight against cancer and she met with patients and doctors.

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King Philippe presented the King's Sword to sub-lieutenant Janne Lodewyckx today:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8FQ1qBXkAA54gt?format=jpg&name=large

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Queen Mathilde participated in the conference "An EU comprehensive approach that prioritizes sound mental health for all", organized in connection with the International Mental Health Day in Brussels this morning:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8EmMKSWAAAMB8N?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

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The incoming State Visit from Portugal to Belgium's itinerary has been altered due to the terrorist attack in  Brussels.

Belgium?s royals alter State Visit plans as security threat level raised in Brussels following terror attack ? Royal Central

The opening day of the State Visit of the President of Portugal to Belgium has been changed after a gun attack in Brussels saw the security threat level raised.

It now stands at the highest level in the Belgian capital and that?s impacted how the State Visit will begin. The change in status came after two people were killed after a gunman opened fire on a group of football fans in a cafe in the Schearbeek neighbourhood of the Belgian capital. A third person was injured in the attack which took place on the evening of October 16th 2023.

As police began their hunt for the killer, the threat level was raised. Police confirmed on October 17th 2023 that they had shot dead the attacker who had posted a video online claiming responsibility and saying he was a member of Islamic State.

Prime Minister, Alexander de Croo, said that it was ?a harrowing act of terrorism?.

Both the people killed were Swedish nationals who were in Brussels to watch the Euro 2024 qualifier between Sweden and Brussels. They were in a cafe when they were shot.

Following the attack, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde spoke out on social media, saying ?We are shocked by tonight?s shooting in our capital. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims, their families and loved ones.?

They were due to welcome the President of Portugal on October 17th but with the security level remaining at its highest, those plans have been changed.

The ceremony at the start at the Royal Palace has been cancelled.

So, too, has the tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior which would have seen Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, lay a wreath alongside King Philippe.

The State Visit will continue with alterations.

Belgian royals ?shocked? after terrorist attack in Brussels ? Royal Central

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians have said they are ?shocked? after a terrorist went on a shooting spree in Brussels on the evening of 16 October.

The royal couple released a statement in English, French and Dutch on social media stating: ?We are shocked by tonight?s shooting in our capital. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims, their families and loved ones. We support the security forces who are currently doing their utmost to track down the perpetrator.?

The shooting spree occurred as people were in town to watch the Belgium-Sweden Euro 2024 qualifier football match being played in the Belgian capital. The game has since been abandoned. Swedish athletes said they didn?t want to play the second half, and their Belgian counterparts agreed.

Police have confirmed that two people are dead after the attack, both of whom are Swedish citizens. An additional person of unknown nationality has been injured.

A spokesman for the Belgian federal prosecutor, Eric van Duyse, told Reuters that the assailant claimed to be inspired by the Islamic State, adding: ?Go home and stay at home as long as the threat has not been eradicated.?

The gunman is still at large, and Belgium has raised its terror alert to its highest level.

The Belgian police have said they are investigating the matter as terrorism.

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Photos from the State Banquet tonight.

Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "Het staatsbanket begint met een minuut stilte ter nagedachtenis van de slachtoffers van de aanslag gisteren in

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Princess Astrid is in Australia on an economic mission.

Princess Astrid's Economic Mission to Australia - Day 1 ? UFO No More

This week, Princess Astrid is undertaking an economic mission to Australia with a Belgian delegation. On Sunday, Princess Astrid and the Belgian delegation attended an information session about the program of the visit followed by a welcome networking drink.

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Princess Astrid's Economic Mission to Australia - Day 2 ? UFO No More

Princess Astrid met with the Governor General and his wife at Admiralty House before moving on to more engagements.

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Today, King Philippe received European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Ylva Johansson at the Royal Palace:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9N4IduWsAEEWDG?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

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Princess Astrid's Economic Mission to Australia - Day 5 ? UFO No More

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The King and Queen are going on a State Visit to Germany.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to make State Visit to Germany ? Royal Central

The King and Queen of the Belgians will make a State Visit to Germany this winter.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are set to arrive for the three day trip on December 5th 2023.

They have been invited by the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The State Visit will take them to Berlin and Dresden.

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Queen Mathilde attends round table on well-being and mental health at work ? UFO No More

On Tuesday, Queen Mathilde attended a round table on well-being and mental health at work hosted by The Shift at Realco headquarters. Realco produces hygiene products made from green chemistry in compliance with numerous Sustainable Development Goals.

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Today, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde hosted a reception for those who have been granted a noble favour or an honorary distinction:

Honorary Distinction. November 14 Pictures and Photos - Getty Images,%202023&sort=newest&irgwc=1&esource=AFF_GI_IR_Skimbit%20Ltd._10078&asid=Skimbit%20Ltd.&cid=GI&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Skimbit%20Ltd.&utm_content=10078

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King Philippe and Queen Mathilde host dinner at Laeken Castle ? UFO No More

On Thursday, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde hosted a dinner at Laeken Castle for young people working in home care. They heard about their daily work and the challenges they face professionally.

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Queen Mathilde takes part in ?Reading Out Loud Week? ? UFO No More

On Friday, Queen Mathilde took part in ?Reading Out Loud Week? as she read a passage from the book ?Een bijzondere vriend" ("A special friend") by Aline Portman to the students of the Groenendaal nursery school in Merksem and to the non-speaking parents who take Dutch lessons there.

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King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visited the office of the newspaper "Le Soir" in Brussels today:

https://www.lesoir.be/552014/article/2023-11-28/le-roi-philippe-et-la-reine-mathilde-en-visite-la-redaction-du-soir

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King Philippe received the new ambassadors of Nicaragua, Armenia, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau today:

Lettres de cr?ance | La Monarchie belge

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Queen Mathilde of Belgium enjoys a beverage as she joins King Philippe at a Christmas market in Germany | Daily Mail Online

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King Philippe visited the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs in Brussels today:

Editorial Photos, Celebrity, News, & Sports Images | Shutterstock Editorial

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Belgium took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2024.

The King and Queen attend the opening concert which brings together an orchestra conducted by Jef Neve and guest artists: Selah Sue, Lorenzo Gatto and Charlotte Adigery.

Belgian Royal Palace on Instagram: "?? Van 1 januari tot 30 juni 2024 is Belgi? voorzitter van de Raad van de Europese Unie. De komende zes maanden

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Queen Mathilde visited the non-profit organization Visual Disability Employment Training in Montignies-sur-Sambre today:

Editorial Photos, Celebrity, News, & Sports Images | Shutterstock Editorial

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Yesterday, King Philippe visited the Red Cross homeless shelter "Train Hostel" in Brussels:

Editorial Photos, Celebrity, News, & Sports Images | Shutterstock Editorial

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King Philippe and Queen Mathilde hosted the traditional New Year's reception for the NATO permanent representatives and Shape officers today:

Reception Brussels Castle January 25 Pictures and Photos - Getty Images,%202024&irgwc=1&esource=AFF_GI_IR_Skimbit%20Ltd._10078&asid=Skimbit%20Ltd.&cid=GI&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Skimbit%20Ltd.&utm_content=10078

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King Philippe and Queen Mathilde hosted the annual New Year's reception for the main authorities of the country today:

New Year's Reception January 30 Pictures and Photos - Getty Images,%202024&sort=newest&irgwc=1&esource=AFF_GI_IR_Skimbit%20Ltd._10078&asid=Skimbit%20Ltd.&cid=GI&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Skimbit%20Ltd.&utm_content=10078

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Queen Mathilde visited the Goodplanet organization for Sustainable Development Goals in Brussels today:

Queen Mathilde February 6 Pictures and Photos - Getty Images,%202024&sort=newest&irgwc=1&esource=AFF_GI_IR_Skimbit%20Ltd._10078&asid=Skimbit%20Ltd.&cid=GI&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Skimbit%20Ltd.&utm_content=10078