On 23 October 2026, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium received the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, and his wife, Ngô Phương Ly, at the Royal Castle of Laeken. For the occasion, Queen Mathilde wore a dark green, long-sleeved midi dress by Belgian fashion house Natan, featuring a print of large white calla lilies.
Vietnamese President Tô Lâm, his wife, Ngô Phương Ly, and a Vietnamese delegation made an official visit to the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of Belgium at the invitation of European Council President António Costa and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
Lovely Natan.
ردحذفThe presidents wife looks lovely in her golden orange gown. The queen, hmm I like the colour ,good fit, unique design, looks okay, maybe it’s the length and the design together that is off. Regardless she looks very nice.
ردحذفThe First Lady's dress is perfect (the colour palette, fit, flower print). Queen Mathilde's dress is nice, but I would prefer some other placement of the flower print (maybe, only on the skirt).
ردحذفOh gosh — I’m afraid the calla lily print on Queen Mathilde’s dress overwhelms both dress and wearer. The Vietnamese first lady’s much more subtle approach to a floral motif is very nice.
ردحذفThe floral print on Mathilde's dress is too prominent . Lilies are associated with funerals which is not something you would want to think about for a state visit. They are also positioned in an awkward way-straight up and down the front of the dress. The President's wife looks lovely and her dress is very creative and interesting with the colour variation going from orange to the bright yellow flower.
ردحذفIt was not a state visit, but an official visit of one day by the European council and Belgian prime minister.
حذفSandra, lilies are not necessarily associated with funerals. When referred to as hoa bách hợp (a name shared across Chinese and Vietnamese linguistic roots), the flower carries a literal meaning of "one hundred years of harmonious union" (bách niên hảo hợp).
حذفBecause of this linguistic blessing, calla lilies have surged in popularity for modern Vietnamese destination weddings and bridal bouquets, serving as a wish for a peaceful, enduring marriage.
Knowing this context makes Queen Mathilde’s choice of the lily-patterned Natan Couture dress even more clever—it was a subtle, highly respectful nod to the elegant and harmonious diplomacy between Belgium and Vietnam.
Sandra, in which country are lilies associated with funerals? This is not the case where I live.
حذفI stand corrected. Lilies can be viewed differently in other parts of the world. I can see Mathilde was honouring Vietnam. They were used during Princess Diana's funeral in the UK. That is where my association came from and also here in Canada and other parts of the world.
حذف@ Sandra,
حذفI think that Queen Mathilde was just following the protocol rules and had the right cultural sensitivity needed to honour her guests.
Flowers carry different meanings depending on the countries where they are used.
Let's consider chrysantemums for instance.
They are associated with the dead, funerals and cemeteries in Italy.
You will never see any bride holding her bouquet made of these flowers!
Conversely, chrysantemum is the national flower in Japan and much used also in China and Corea for marriages.
* chrysanthemum/s
حذفSherry that’s fascinating! Thanks for adding that to our understanding!
حذفThe golden dress from the Viet Names first lady is beautiful. Do like the color of Q Mathildes dress, no fan of the flowers, it seems to take something away from the dress itself.
ردحذفcss
I have recently noticed that queen Mathilde is much more attractive now than when she was younger, her face has acquired a mature beauty, very appealing.
ردحذف🌞 Virginia
Interesting. I think she has always been beautiful.
حذفThe First Lady looks breathtaking. The gown looks wonderful. I cannot take my eyes off the flower print placed strategically, its perfect, beautifully crafted. The gown fits well and so stylish. I like this design, color and print on the fabric.
ردحذفThe Queen looks lovely in this unusual dress, the print is very interesting, quite strong. The shoes and clutch, perfect color. Her hair looks beautiful. Lovely presentation.
Yeah not the best dress for Queen M but those ranunculus!!
ردحذفThis Natan silhouette is fashioned for a tall slim straight model. So narrow at the top and so full at the bottom in such heavy material is in my observations to date a typically problematic Natan for a mature woman of non model proportions. The decoration unfortunately, to my eyes, doubles this effect: as the lily is narrow at the top and much wider at the bottom. In summary, Mathilde has so many other excellent clothes, this one didn’t need to be added to her wardrobe.
ردحذفI agree a Natan design where fabric, decoration, don’t quite come together which is their signature. Just odd to me
حذفTout de suite, je dis oui pour la robe délicatement imprimée de l’épouse du Président surtout sur cette couleur dorée ; celle de Mathilde nous montre trop d’arums !
ردحذفWell.. I love the queen’s dress and I think the design is fabulous. Also like the first lady’s outfit. LRB
ردحذفDe jurk was zonder lelies mooier geweest.
ردحذفOù voyez-vous des lys ? Ce sont plutôt de gros arums !
حذفI hear so many names for the flowers. In my country they are called callas. In Dutch they are called callas too. I didn't know they were lilies. But even then. My mother had those flowers in her bridal bouquet when she married in 1945. Now I know why thanks to Sherry. I thought it was fashion in those days as other female family members were also photographed with these callas in their bridal bouquet. I never noticed that they were used for funeral flowers. But maybe in other countries they are.
ردحذف@07:10- great observation, totally concur.
ردحذف@09:55- answer- most European countries!
The First Lady looks so elegant--her traditional dress is beautiful. Queen Mathilde looks wonderful in this shade of green; however, that is all that is positive about this dress. Mathilde has many beautiful dresses and suits in her closet to choose from and this one is not among them. I really hope this dress ends up at the back of that closet.
ردحذفJanet
The dress of Vietnam’s First Lady is a beautiful color, fabric, and design. Mathilde’s dress does not appear to fit well in the back, as shown in the first picture, and the placement of the large calla lily design is not visually appealing. I guess she feels she has to promote Natan, but I do so wish she would stop wearing it; their designs are generally unattractive, in my opinion.
ردحذف-Royal Watcher
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