King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are undertaking a state visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. On the evening of October 12, 2026, the King and Queen attended a state dinner hosted by President Tokayev at the Reception House (Saltanat Saraiy) in Astana.
For the state dinner, Queen Mathilde wore a cape and a red jumpsuit from Elie Saab’s Autumn/Winter 2025–2026 collection.
Elie Saab Fall-Winter 2025 Collection
The colours and the cape Mathilde is wearing are wonderful. I find she should have kept the high neck of the absolutely horrible jumpsuit, because she now has 2 round necklines that compete with each other. I think she should not have worn that jumpsuit in the first place. - Ellie
ردحذفThis jumpsuit look is not good in the last photo, to the left of the model photos. It happens to a great many women, they put on a bit of weight around the middle and when clothing is not dealt with by a seamstress, its' generally not a good outcome.
ردحذفI have been wondering recently what is the purpose of all these state dinners for royalty? It’s nice to see the pretty clothes of course but it seems that the European royals just travel from state dinner to state dinner among friends.
ردحذفApparently you never had the occasion to read what a state visit from Belgium to another country and vice/versa means. A state visit has an official welcoming part in every country and a state banquet/diner.
حذفIn Belgium a state visit has also an economic reason. It is the custom since king Baudouin. The king and queen are in the company of Belgian ministers and business people who leave with contracts in their maps. This works for both sides as Belgians we can offer these people what they don't have yet and we can learn from them and do business with them. A Belgian state visit is not just "hello, a state banquet and bye, bye".
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde wish to visit some specialties the country has to offer and the Belgian ministers and business men/women inform the Kazakh specialists what Belgium can sell to them which they don't or cannot make themselves. It was on invitation of the Kazakh president that the king and queen went there. So you see it is not just European royals who travel to see each other but also other countries with a president who wish to become friends as a family and in business.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are the first royal couple who are invited by President Tokayev of Kazakhstan.
Thank you for your detailed comment @ Anonymous 10:23.
حذفi have read something about the economic / commercial partnership between Belgium and Kazakhstan.
I am curious as to the array of red ensembles worn by Queen Mathilde.
Does this have a specific meaning?
The cape may well be quite stunning but it’s not coming through well in these stills. I’m a bit curious about Mathilde’s hair which looks … very different from normal… I wonder if it was a local hairdresser who’s done “quite a different” styling with a great deal of hairspray and teasing.
ردحذفHer hair is done by a Belgian hairdresser Mr. Van Espen.
حذفI, too, didn't quite like the cape when I first saw the way Mathilde has worn it and my opinion hasn't changed. It looks very theatrical and quite 'costumy' in a halloweeny kind of way. No doubt it is beautiful, but not when worn like this. I would have preferred to have seen it paired with a black silk, or satin, or velvet sheath gown underneath, and at a more formal occasion with one of Mathilde's beautiful evening hair updo's. Downplaying it this way with a jumpsuit takes away from it's beauty. If she wanted to wear something modest but still with a hint of glamour for this state visit she has lots of gowns in her closet that would have fitted the bill.
حذف- Anon 9:13
Anon 9:13
حذفBlack silk or velvet wouldn't look halloweeny ? I think it would look even more halloweeny. The jumpsuit was the idea of the designer Elie Saab. Queen Mathilde probably asked for some changes : the color is warm red instead of egg plant (aubergine) like on the model; the neck line is classic and round instead of a high neck line; the legs of the jump suit do not have "leg warmers" like on the model. I like this outfit and Queen Mathilde looks fantastic.
Looks a little bloated around the stomach area...could be due to the flight a few days ago..
ردحذفHow rude. It is really not our place to comment on another woman’s stomach!
حذفProbably the same person who criticizes everyone’s hair!!
حذفIf you had been looking closely, both Mathilde and Grand Duch Stephanie have added a number of pounds, proof being the photos at King Harold's funeral. Both had protruding stomachs, both are very active women, however, on a world stage, one has to step up the game, get stylists to alter or change outfits, depending on their weight gain. Women gain weight, genetics plays a part, so its not rude, its a comment about the women's fashion she is wearing and whether it could have been altered to look better.
حذف
حذف13.18 Here we go again with King Harold! What funeral did you see?
Je ne suis pas sure d'aimer le manteau mais je trouve cette coiffure parfaite pour la reine.
ردحذفFor the diner Queen Mathilde is wearing again a red outfit. The red jump suit and transparent cape are by Elie Saab. Interesting about the cape is that a big butterfly can be seen on the back. Her hair and make-up are sophisticated. She is wearing white golden earrings with diamonds made by a Kazach jewelry designer. This is a very beautiful outfit which she can wear later for events like the Queen Elisabeth Music competition and during other state visits.
ردحذفWell said, agree with you.
حذفBis auf die Frisur gefällt mir gar nichts. Und dann noch mit einem jumpsuit auf einem. Bankett. echt jetzt? Caoes kann ich auch nicht mehr sehen.
ردحذفThis has to be the first time I am on the fence about one of Elie Saab's creations.
ردحذفIt seems that Q.Mathilde wore the jumpsuit in a lighter shade of red and also the cape doesn't look true to the original design as seen on the model.
Her particular up style looks new on her.
Lots of red in her clothes selection, wonder why?
Love her hairdo: fresh and young.
ردحذفLove also the cape.
Mathilde is beautiful, but this outfit and her hairstyle are not flattering here.
ردحذف-Royal Watcher
The cape is beautiful but not the jumpsuit. If Queen Mathilde had worn a plain black evening gown with the cape that would have been better, and a dress would be more appropriate for a state dinner.
ردحذفVery confusing outfit - unclear what the designer had in mind (the model photo isn’t any better). And certainly not a good option for the queen
ردحذفGreat looking cape, very colorful. Not so sure about the pantsuit.
ردحذفcss
Sa cape toute en couleurs lui va superbement bien !
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