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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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).
ReplyDeleteOh 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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteIt was not a state visit, but an official visit of one day by the European council and Belgian prime minister.
DeleteSandra, 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).
DeleteBecause 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.
DeleteThe 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.
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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.
ReplyDelete🌞 Virginia
Interesting. I think she has always been beautiful.
DeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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!!
ReplyDeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteTout 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 !
ReplyDeleteWell.. I love the queen’s dress and I think the design is fabulous. Also like the first lady’s outfit. LRB
ReplyDeleteDe jurk was zonder lelies mooier geweest.
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