On September 27, 2024, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium received Pope Francis at the Castle of Laeken in Brussels. After a welcome speech by the King, the Pope delivered a message to the nation in the presence of representatives of the established authorities, the Catholic Church, and other recognized religions in Belgium, civil society, and the diplomatic corps. Pope Francis will engage with students at the Catholic University of Louvain.
Queen Mathilde is wearing the white dress designed by Meer Couture which she wore in September 2023 for a visit at the Vatican. It is a lovely dress simple and stylish. This time she didn't wore the white mantilla like she did last year. King Albert II and Queen Paola also came to the castle in Laeken to meet Pope Francis as well as the leaders of the government and the catholic church. The leaders of other religions were also invited to meet with the pope. Between 17.00 and 18.00 the pope left Laeken to visit the Catholic University of Leuven where he was welcomed by the Rector and where he talked to the students.
ReplyDeleteMantilla, I think, is necessary only when she's visiting the Pope?
DeleteAnche se Papa Francesco lascia libere le dame di usare qualsiasi colore durante i loro incontri, bisogna ammettere che Mathilde di bianco è meravigliosa.
ReplyDeleteRossella 🖤
Another simple, beautiful look from Queen Mathilde today!
ReplyDeleteJanet
Absolutely. She looks lovely.
DeleteAnnieM
Pour cette rencontre particulière, Mathilde est beaucoup mieux vêtue de blanc !
ReplyDeleteThe queen looks absolutely stunning and elegant for this occasion. I very much like the way her hair is styled. It makes her look younger.
ReplyDeleteAnon. 27/9/2024, 17:28. I totally agree with you. And I wish more royal ladies will also cut their hair shorter!
DeleteThis elegant dress suits Queen Mathilde so well. It is so elegant and flattering for her frame. One of her best looks this year.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree. White/ivory for purity.
DeleteI agree 100%.
Delete- Anon 9:13
Wow, an audience with the Pope, you cannot get much better than that. Queen Mathilde looks just picture perfect and stunning!
ReplyDeleteWhat??
DeleteWow, an audience with the Pope, you cannot get much better than that. Queen Mathilde looks just picture perfect and stunning!
ReplyDeleteIt was a visit, and a political ...
DeleteLove Mathildes dress, with the Popes audience. It can't get better. Sadly no one from other family members had joined in.
ReplyDeletecss
@ Fitzhugh and css
DeleteIt was not an audience, the pope was invited to the castle of Laeken because that is the custom in most countries with a kingdom who welcome a head of state, in this case the Vatican. A lot of people forget this was a sort of state visit to Belgium by the Pope. Normally the visit should have taken place at the Royal palace in Brussels, but since the renovation works are not over yet, the king continues to invite at his home the castle of Laeken. During this visit the political leaders of Belgium were also present. The pope gave his speech and the prime minister Alexander De Croo gave his speech too. There were also a lot of high religious leaders of the Catholic church but also leaders of other religions and other ministers of the Belgian Government.
On the other hand an audience with the pope is always very private between him and the king and queen, or a president and his wife with just a couple of bishops or cardinals to assist the pope.
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe met with the pope at the Vatican last year in September I think. They also met him when they were not king and queen yet but crown princes of Belgium and they probably will meet him later in one of the years to come.
The pictures which are shown here are just a choice made by the blog owner but there are more pictures on other belgian royal sites.
Oh, the Queen looks superb. What a beautiful simple, but elegant dress. Her earrings look subtle and refined, perfect choice. Love the color of her clutch and shoes.
ReplyDeleteI like the dress and even more that is a repeat. I wish she had used the mantilla, as someone wrote not long ago, we don't see the mantilla very often and I would like to keep it alive.
ReplyDeletePerhaps is protocol, only when you are visiting, and this his is consider an audience but not w visit? Anyone?
Thanks
Luna
King Albert and Queen Paola were also there to meet the Pope in Laeken:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/Albert-paola-27-september-2024.html?sortBy=newest
Une robe élégante, notamment l'encolure. Belles chaussures aussi.
ReplyDeleteLa reine est toujours très bien quand elle porte du blanc. Paloma.
I like the collar on this dress. That is a v-neck surplice and yet, very modest. Chris L.
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