King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark will pay a state visit to Belgium from 8 to 10 September 2026, at the invitation of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. The state visit is intended to highlight the shared values of Belgium and Denmark. The King and Queen will be accompanied throughout the visit by representatives of the Danish Government.
The state visit will begin in Brussels with an official welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace of Brussels, hosted by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, followed by meetings with the Prime Minister, the Federal Parliament and the Mayor of Brussels. A gala dinner will be held at Laeken Castle in the evening
On 9 September, the visit will continue in the Belgian region of Wallonia with a visit to the Lauzelle Forest, accompanied by researchers and students from the UCLouvain (Université catholique de Louvain), who will present the forest as an ecological restoration project, a living laboratory and a public park.
On 10 September, the two royal couples will visit the region of Flanders, where they will learn about Antwerp's transformation from a traditional port city into one of Europe's most vibrant cultural centers. A luncheon reception will be held aboard the Royal Yacht Dannebrog, followed by a harbour cruise, before the state visit concludes with an official farewell aboard the Royal Yacht Dannebrog.
Strange. This is the first time a state visit is announced a long time in advance, mentioning all the details of the visits they will pay etc. I wonder from where & what the text on this blog is copied ?
ReplyDeleteWhy wondering instead of googling? The program is published on kongehuset.dk, for everyone to see.
DeleteThe announcement will be from the Danish Royal household. Nothing strange about being organised and communicating but different organisations choose differently.
Delete@ 19:31& 20:56
DeleteIt is not coming to my mind to google the Kongehuset.dk because in Belgium we are not used to know detailed programs of royal visits well in advance. At first I thought the announcement came from the Royal Palace in Brussels, that's why I was surprised. Of course if it is the custom of the Danish Royal household to publish the program well in advance, it is their decision.
Great! Looking forward to the tiaras!
ReplyDeleteThis is the program I found on a Belgian blogspot
ReplyDeleteTuesday 8 September 2026
Official welcome at the Place des Palais in Brussels and visit to the Royal Palace..
Visit to the Brussels city hall.
King Frederik visits the Parliament and has a meeting with Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
State banquet at the castle of Laeken.
Wednesday 9 September 2026
Visit to the Forêt de Lauzelle accompanied by students and researchers of the UCL (Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve)
King Frederik & Queen Mary meet representatives of some 40 Danish companies in Brussels.
Visit to the Danish church in Brussels that celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Return event by the Danish royal couple.
Thursday 10 September 2026
Visit to Antwerp.
Lunch onboard the Danish royal yacht Dannebrog, followed by a boat trip through the port of Antwerp.
Farewell on board the Dannebrog
More or less the same.
Anon 15.14 Thanks so much for the program, cannot wait for this Royal tour!
DeleteI think King Philippe will have to wear his gala uniform when King Frederik is coming to visit him. There is less gold on the Belgian uniform, but maybe King Philippe already has the golden necklace with the elephant and then he will have to wear it too.
ReplyDeleteThat's a first for me. A 2 month advance notice of a royal event. I'm not saying anything negative here it's just unusual. What if it doesn't happen ?
ReplyDeleteThen there will be an announcement of course!
DeleteIt’s completely normal for high profile people to have their calendars booked up well in advance. Then if there’s a change, they um… change it. Hmm.
Delete@ 20:57
DeleteIt is not a question of agenda's, but of security. But if it is the custom in Denmark it is their decision.
I always thought they didn't give out details on their movements for security reasons.
ReplyDeleteDepends where they're traveling between. Denmark/Belgium considered low risk. Besides, the routes they're taking for all their engagements are not disclosed, and security of some level is always around and ahead of them.
Delete- Anon 9:13
From where do you have that idea?
Delete@ Joann
DeleteThat is what I thought too. That is why I was surprised that the program of the royal tour was announced so long in advance. It is the first state visit in Belgium which is doing this.
@ Anon 9:13
DeleteIt is a bit naive to say there is low risk to travel between Denmark and Belgium. I am not surprised of anything anymore. These days all kind of things can happen between point A and point Z as well in Western Europe as elsewhere.
I wonder what delicious jewellery treats QM will serve up. Since becoming Queen Consort she’s breathed new life into elements of the royal vaults.
ReplyDeleteLowri.
It seems ridiculous that royal couples just travel around having state visits with their neighbors all the time. Other than dressing up for gala events what is the purpose?
ReplyDelete@ 04:36
DeleteIt is always interesting to renew contacts economically between the two countries. Since there are around 40 Danish companies in Belgium it is important there is a good collaboration between Denmark and Belgium. Now more than ever European countries which have companies in other neighboring countries can collaborate to create a stronger Europe in the future. Don't underestimate the influence of a king in these matters.
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