On 21 July 2026, King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, Crown Princess Elisabeth (The Duchess of Brabant), Prince Gabriel, Princess Eléonore and Prince Emmanuel attended the Te Deum at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels on the occasion of Belgium's National Day. Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz attended the Te Deum in Liège, while Prince Laurent and Princess Claire attended the Te Deum in Hasselt.
Belgian National Day is the country's national holiday, commemorated annually on 21 July. For the occasion, Queen Mathilde wore a beige raffia guipure lace long dress by Natan Couture. Princess Elisabeth wore a jacquard A-line midi dress by Carolina Herrera, while Princess Eléonore wore a sky-blue slouch-waist dress by Toteme.
Natan Couture Tia Long Dress
Carolina Herrera Jacquard A-Line Midi Dress
TOTEME Slouch Waist Dress
What a beautiful group photo. CP Elisabeth’s white sleeveless dress is lovely, the material appears to be embossed , a very nice texture, and her picture hat frames her very nicely. Those drop earrings are nice too! P Eleonore’s dress is also beautiful ,I love the light blue colour and the gathered waistline is very becoming. Her headband is good too. As for the queen a very nice dress, however I’m not too fond of the colour and fit on her. She is thick waisted and this shape accentuates her midsection. Nonetheless, the women are beautifully turned out!
ReplyDeleteDuring a long period I heard Queen Mathilde was high waisted. Now I hear she is "thick waisted" ? Do you realize how unrespectful that sounds. Do you remember the guipure dress she wore on economic mission (her first one) to Turquey ? It was not a good idea to my like. This dress gives me the same feeling. Although the guipure lace looks less heavy than the guipure of the other dress, it is a fabric queen Mathilde should avoid. Another fabric like a light jacquard is more becoming to the queen's morphology. Also the wide skirts are less becoming than her dresses with straight skirts.
DeleteThe princesses look lovely in their dresses. They both are wearing earrings belonging to Queen Mathilde.
Mathilde is high-waisted, but I can still understand why someone would call her thick-waisted, and I´m sure that´s not meant as an insult but rather descriptive. Mathilde is tall and slim, but her natural waistline is very high. As a result, she often has proportion issues. Her clothes´ waistline often sit at a height that´s not her slimmest (natural waist) thus looking unflattering on her. She looks best in clothes that don´t have a defined waist - avoiding the issue altogether.
DeleteThere was an agreement in the past not to discuss body parts on this blog. If you would do this with Q Mary or the PoW there would be not enough place to print the reactions. And I must also remember it is "Queen" Mathilde. Just like the British do not like that the PoW is called Kate, the Belgians do not like that their queen is called systematically by her first name only.
DeleteThis is the first time I am actually really liking what the CP Elisabeth is wearing, it looks age-appropriate, fresh and the hat is so summery and nice. Well done!
DeleteGorgeous - love the daughters' dresses
ReplyDeleteThe Queen's dress is quite - how should I say, bottom-heavy, the dress of course. Which is, frankly, simply unfavourable for Mathilde's rather pear-like shape, according to that well-known classification of body shapes. For her, a very pronounced top part is always best, which this dress is very much not. I don't like the rest either (i.e., high neckline, belted waist, meh colour and much too much lace. Mathilde can do so much better, even Natan can do better. - Eléonore is very pretty in her slouch dress, the Crown Princess is, for me, not outstanding, but OK.
ReplyDeleteHigh waisted, thick waist and now pear like shape ! She is not pear like shaped, the dress is. Queen Mathilde should not wear wear long wide skirts. The shape is not becoming on her. I've always said it and I say it again she should wear straight dresses with a narrower skirt. She should also avoid guipure lace which looks too heavy on her. The neckline is not too high. It is the same neckline like on her daughters dresses.
DeleteRavissantes les deux princesses avec une préférence pour la robe blanche d'Elisabeth !
ReplyDeleteAchard62
Nice dresses and accessories on both sisters. I'm glad that regardless of being higher than her elder sister Elisabeth, Eleonore is allowed to wear heels unlike Infanta Sofia.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know Sofía is "not allowed" to wear high heels? Why do you talk about things you can not be in a position to know? You are gossiping and this is annoying for everybody (except you). .
DeleteYes Princess Eléonore is wearing little heels since a long time. Princess Elisabeth is wearing high heels like her mother Queen Mathilde. I am convinced that Eléonore when she will be older, will also wear now and then stilletto's, depending the circumstances. Infanta Sofia is wearing too long ballerina's or very flat shoes. It is not a very longtime ago Infanta Sofia was kept deliberately childish in the way she dressed. Lucky since she started higher education (university level) and is no longer living at home all the time. Infanta Sofia is wearing more and more adult feminine clothes.
DeleteDo you know HRH Infanta Sofia? If not, how do you know she’s not “allowed” to wear high heels?
DeleteAnon.17:02.If my comment is annoying for you why did you bother yourself commenting on it instead of skipping it?
DeleteAnon.17:58. Of course, I don't know Infanta Sofia and You don't know either, I suppose.
Anon. 17:09. Yes, Sofia started wearing more adult/feminine clothes and some of those outfits just require some kind of heels to enhance her whole look. Eleonore looks lovely in those low heels. If she wore flats, the effect wouldn't be so good.
The Carolina dress is such a nice feminine fit. Elenore dress a pretty shade of blue, and her earring are perfect for enchanting a plain dress. The queen looks great in this colour, love the lace, I just prefer an even hem to this uneven. The men look very dashing in their dress.
ReplyDeleteA well dressed family, each their own style yet blends well together. Interesting how the siblings are always paired up.
Eleanore, apologies for misspelling. Such a beauty in this colour
DeleteIt is Eléonore, sorry misspelling 2 times.
DeleteAnother "tableclothy' dress on Mathilde. Her hat looks like a mini flying saucer landed on her head. Not one of her best looks.
ReplyDeleteVous avez des nappes en guipure ?
DeleteOui, oui.
DeleteI didn't know that these khaki uniforms still exist. The color doesn't suit King Philippe. I can't remember when was the last time King Philippe wore this old uniform and even Prince Gabriël is wearing one. The uniforms of the Army are a darkgreen jacket and darkgrey trousers. Sometimes King Philippe is wearing the blue uniform of the Air-Force, maybe he will wear it for the military parade. I am recording this part of the National Day and will look at it in the evening.
ReplyDeleteIt is the "new" formal version of the drees code which the Army issued last month: https://www.facebook.com/defence.be/posts/-new-belgian-defence-service-dress-nl-comfortabeler-moderner-ontdek-de-nieuwe-se/1425561932939657/
Delete@ Anon. 17:20
DeleteYes, I discovered it yesterday evening. It reminds me so much at the color King Baudouin wore his whole life and I don't like. I preferred the other army uniform which was new under the reign of King Albert II. The dark green and dark grey suited King Philippe so much better.
I cannot see the point in criticising uniforms.
Delete@ MaryT
DeleteWhat do you understand by criticising uniforms ?
Uniforms are clothes and clothes have colours. I just said that King Philippe looked better in his old uniform (not so old to me). And Prince Gabriel looked also better in the old uniform of the Army green jacket and dark grey pants. Maybe you find it not important what sort of colour their uniform has. To me it is as valuable as the way the queen and the princesses are dressed.
Très jolies. J'aime en particulier la tenue de la princesse Elisabeth. J'aurais préféré des boucles d'oreille légèrement plus courtes toutefois.
ReplyDeleteLes deux princesses portent des boucles d'oreilles de la Reine Mathilde. Je pense que leurs petits sac à mains sont également prêtés à leur maman.
DeleteReally love the Queens dress: The colour, the material, the cut. Of course she has a short torso, but in my view it doesnot harm this dress.
ReplyDeleteThe princesses are lovely too. The youngest has developped in a beautifull young woman.
Such a stylish family!
I fully agree, thanks for writing it.
DeleteA beautiful family who work hard for their country.
ReplyDeleteFashion wise; if the hats were a little bit smalller,, all would be perfect..
What a lovely warm family, très royale as always!!!
ReplyDeleteRavissante Eleonor
ReplyDeleteMany are commenting on commentary they don’t like…thick waisted, pear shaped etc.
ReplyDeleteTo avoid being defensive and irritated please stop read comments.lol!
20:26 I’m confused as to your use of the word defensive which doesn’t work here.
DeleteAside from that, it is entirely correct for commenters to note when other commenters are disrespectful or mean in comments. It is not “lol”, it is not “stop reading comments”; it’s about respect.
@ 04:12
DeleteYou are right ! I agree with you.
Queen Mathilde looks lovely in her lace dress--not sure of the color though. In particular, I like her hat as its simplicity is perfect for the dramatic dress. I am also very glad to see that the dress has a thin belt because that style is much more flattering on her. Princess Elisabeth looks beautiful and elegant in her all white ensemble! The style of hat is marvelous for her--very stylish and designed to show her face. Another important style point is her choice of nude shoes--perfect! So much better for an elegant look. Princess Eleonore's pale blue dress is a perfect for her--both in style and color. She also looks beautiful today--perhaps one of her best looks at this event but then again she is older now. I am seeing her fashion becoming more sophisticated as did Elisabeth's. I especially love her earrings--beautiful and simple blue drops that coordinate perfectly with her dress. Her headband is a wonderful choice but I'd love to see her wearing a hat soon. The King and Gabriel are very handsome in their uniforms while Emmanuel looks dapper in his morning suit. All in all, a great turn out from a lovely family.
ReplyDeleteJanet
@ Janet
DeleteSorry, but the earrings Princess Eléonore is wearing are golden drop earrings with one WHITE pearl in each earring.
what a lovely family picture, ladies look fantastic, summery and regal and the gents very spiffy. I agree with the majority i don't love the Queens dress, but this is just a matter of taste, it is totally appropriate.
ReplyDeleteLuna
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Queens earrings with her lace dress are stunning, beautiful diamonds lining the rim of these earrings. Gorgeous. I love the Queen's hat, as well as CP Elisabeth's suits her beautifully.
DeleteI agree that we should be very careful what we write about other women. If you write the sorts of things you’d be happy to read written about you, then you’re ok. If you’re criticising another’s body, it’s not ok.
ReplyDeleteThere is absolutely no excuse not to be kind and respectful here.
Natan strikes again, what a horrible dress, topped with a saucer hat, neither are good looks on the Queen. The eldest daughter is going to regret the long dangly earrings as she ages. It makes her look older than she is. I'm sure she'll find her own style, not copy her Mum, as time goes by.
ReplyDeleteIf I understand you correctly the youngest daughter only can wear long dangly earrings, because she doesn't receive any comment. Excuse me but CP Elisabeth found already what she wants to wear and it doesn't make her look older than she is (24 years old). She doesn't copy her mother's outfits but has a pretty style of her own. Princess Eléonore and Princess Elisabeth they both are wearing Queen Mathilde's modern earrings and clutches and little handbags. So what, the collection Queen Mathilde has at her disposal is big and up-to-date enough for 3 ladies.
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