Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are in Belgium for a two-day state visit. The visit is taking place to mark 160 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Belgium. The Japanese Imperial Couple arrived in Belgium on Saturday, where they were welcomed by Princess Elisabeth at Melsbroek Military Airport.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako spent the weekend together with King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, and their four children — Crown Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eleonore — at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in the Province of Namur.
On June 22, 2026, the Emperor and Empress will travel to the Castle of Laeken, where they will stay for the remainder of their visit. The official program of the state visit begins on June 23 in Brussels. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will first be welcomed by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Royal Palace in Brussels.
I'll say it first - don't you think the Belgian royal family should have adjusted their footwear or posture to accommodate the much shorter visitors? Or be fitted with adjustable legs so that those who feel that the Emperor is bound to be offended for being the shortest person there can feel better about their notions of proper protocol? And when is the empress going to grab a clue and quit being taller than the Emperor? They've been married for 33 years so I'm very surprised that the issue hasn't been address yet. Aren't their more important things in our world to be mindful of?
ردحذف1:46 No.
حذف@1:47 No. We don’t have to make excuses for who we are, and definitely do not need to adjust our physical shape for others! On the other hand being gracious hosts and respectful is important, and that is evident here.
حذفOh sorry … this was humour. I responded no, which is still my view, but didnt see this as humour on first read! I don’t think heavy sarcasm works really well cross culturally and for those of us who are not mother tongue English!
حذفMasako porte particulièrement bien cette veste bien coupée. Il me semble que la fille du couple impérial aurait eu sa place lors de ce voyage où on a pu voir les enfants du couple royal des Pays Bas et ceux de Belgique. Josée.
ردحذفBeautiful setting! The Empress looks very fresh in the ivory/white and blue jacket. Just a bit more casual than a dress to match the men in jackets without ties. Kelly green is sharp on the Queen and matches well with the outdoors. The four children are all good looking and looking very polished.
ردحذفThe Queen looks lovely I love the color, palate green and white, combined with the green bag, very attractive.. Up close the dress appears on the shapeless side, the inner belt I think has something to do with this effect.
ردحذفThe Empress looks exceptionally good. Love the jacket, it looks smart and stylish. The white shirt and pants, clear straight lines work in well with the jacket, which is a very good length. Love her necklace, perfect finishing touch.
Lovely photos of the Imperial couple with the Belgian royal family over the weekend. Love that the children were present too. You can see and feel the convivial warmth between these two families. The four gents are dressed 'summer-smartly' as indeed are the women. I particularly like the design and fabric of Princess Eleonore's printed dress which is cooling for Europe's current hot spell this week.
ردحذفLooking forward to more of their activities over the next 2 or 3 days.
- Anon 9:13
Mathilde weet hoe het hoort, in tegenstelling tot Maxima, niet de aandacht trekken, en lage hakken...
ردحذفKoningin Mathilde draagt geen lage hakken. Haar hakken verdwijnen gewoon in the gravel die buiten het kasteel ligt als grondverharding. Ook Elisabeth's hakken, alhoewel ik denk dat zij hier lage hakjes draagt, verdwijnen ook in the gravel.
حذفSmall things can make a difference: look at the rounded lapel on the Empress' summery blazer, how it makes this basically masculine piece of clothing much softer, together with the turned-up cuffs. Elizabeth' dress is very nice, as opposed to Mathilde's - the flower placement striking and good, but the cut of the dress is not nice on her. Well I don't like shirtwaist, but the problem here is not so much the style itself but the clumsy string belt for somebody whose waist does not really need to be string-belted, to say the least, and the wide skirt, both features not optimal for Mathilde. The boho dress: this style is sure comfortable, but it favours basically nobody - such a dress makes a show of itself, instead of the wearer - just hanging everywhere.
ردحذفThe skirt of Q. Mathilde's dress is not wide but the dress is a straight casual summer dress with an incorporated belt which can be worn tighter or more loose. Princess Eléonore became just 18 years old this summer. If she likes a boho dress to wear when it is hot why not. She is thin and has plenty of time to see what style is the best for her.
حذفThe family photo is just wonderful. They look so comfortable together. The Empress´ jacket is very nice in colour and cut. She always looks great in pants. I am not too fond of Q Mathilde´s dress. It feels too voluminous. I think it is the draw string tie that makes look bulky. A proper belt would have been better imo.
ردحذفThis is how the Japanese report about the visit - very correct, without any assumptions about mutual emotions that nobody knows (and should know) about. Polite as Japanese are: https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/78356?pn=1
ردحذفThey gave more information than the Belgian media.
حذف
ردحذف皆様の服装はとても快適そうに見えます。
フィリップ国王陛下のように、天皇陛下にもポケットチーフを使ってほしかった。
おしゃれな着こなしって、ほんのちょっとしたことだと思うのです。
Belles photos sur fond verdoyant - Le couple impérial a adopté un style élégant décontracté ; je suis ravie des chaussures blanches de Masako !
ردحذف@anon 08:13
ردحذفThere are no assumptions about the close personal ties between the Japanese imperial family and the Belgian royal family. This dates from way back and by now transcends multiple generations. You can do your resaerch online, it's not hard to find information about this.
https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/relationship-belgium-japan/diplomatic-relations
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2026/06/19/de-hechte-band-tussen-de-belgische-koninklijke-familie-en-het-ja/
Queen Mathilde is wearing a light summerdress which was new in 2025. Until now she wore it in the garden in Laeken and in the Warande Parc in Brussels during the national day. Her green earrings are by Sézane and her green bag is by the Belgian designer Enamoure. It is a medium handbag called "Kai". CP Elisabeth is wearing a dress by the French ready-to-wear collection of designer Destrée. She is wearing earrings belonging to her mother from the brand Carolina Herrera and a clutch by "A bag with a story" also belonging to queen Mathilde. Princess Eléonore is wearing a dress in her favourite boho style by ba&sh. Empress Masako is also dressed in a light summery outfit. The men left there tie inside. With t° of 30° Celsius and more they were probably happy to stay casual in the shadows of the gardens around the castle.
ردحذفإرسال تعليق