Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands.Photo:Patrick van Katwijk/Getty
Patrick van Katwijk/Getty
Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands looked the part at a diplomatic dinner!
On Tuesday evening, Queen Mathilde, 50, and her husband King Philippe, 63, held a glamorous state banquet at Laeken Castle in Brussels in honor of Queen Máxima, 52, and her husband King Willem-Alexander, 56. The celebration was held on the first night of the Dutch royal couple’s three-day state visit to Belgium, a first in 17 years, according tolocal media.
Queen Mathilde and Queen Máxima were regal in pastel gowns with plenty of jewels. Mathilde wore an ice blue gown with a lace cape, completing the look with the Nine Provinces Tiara — a topper exclusively reserved for Belgian Queens,The Court Jewellerreported.
She further accessorized with the second setting of the Wolfers Tiara — styling it as a necklace! — plus diamond fringe earrings and bracelets.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands.Patrick van Katwijk/Getty
Máxima sported a blush gown with ruffles and slipped on a smaller setting of the Stuart Tiara, The Court Jeweller said. While the headpiece can hold the 40-carat Stuart Diamond at its center, the Dutch Queen wore it with a smaller gem.
Earlier this month,Queen Máxima wore the Stuart tiara(in yet a smaller setting) at the Jordan royal wedding ofCrown Prince Husseinand Princess Rajwa.
She reached into the royal vault for the rest of her accessories, glittering in Queen Wilhelmina’s Diamond Earrings with diamond bracelets.
Dutch State Visit to Belgium.Patrick van Katwijk/Getty
The Queens' easy rapport has been on display since the start of the state visit, from their joint walkabout with their husbands to checking out the buffet at the dinner. In one storybook scene, Máxima and Mathilde even shared a whisper — and a giggle!
Both monarchs gave speeches at the banquet dinner, andguests toastedto the good relationship and historical links between the two countries, which share a border.
The Royal House of the Netherlands first announced the trip in January and said the state visit would “reaffirm the excellent ties between the two neighbouring countries, which have strong historical, social and economic links.”
“Key common themes during the visit will be improving social and physical livability, combating climate change, maintaining and promoting a safe society and working towards a sustainable future in which energy is green and affordable. The visit will further deepen the close collaboration between the Netherlands and Belgium, as they both work towards a safer, cleaner and more sustainable future,” astatementsaid.
Wednesday’s agenda includes a visit to the Climate Tech Forum, a stop at the Aerospacelab in Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve for the two Kings and time at Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo for the two Queens to meet young musicians.
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Queen Maxima and Queen Mathilde.JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE / Belga / AFP
JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE / Belga / AFP
The couples will then attend a lunch at the Castle of Seneffe before visiting to BioPark Charleroi and the Institut Saint-André school.
Tonight, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will host a concert at the Flagey culture house in Brussels to thank the Belgian royals for their hospitality.
source: people.com
