Belgian Royals Make Their Way to Berlin for Three-Day Visit
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, the charming Belgian royal couple, are currently paying a three-day visit to Germany's capital, Berlin. The duo, accompanied by a delegation, touched down at BER Airport, marking the beginning of their state visit.
Upon their arrival, they were warmly welcomed by the German Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Berlin's Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner, from the CDU party. It turned out to be the inaugural state visit of the monarch and his wife to Germany.
Dressed in a sophisticated black suit and a striking patterned tie, King Philippe, crowned this year as celebrating the tenth anniversary on the throne, was accompanied by Queen Mathilde, radiant in a chic dark green and gray ensemble.
In the afternoon hours, a ceremony took place at Bellevue Palace, the official abode of the Federal President, where the king and queen were lavished with military honors. During the traditional event involving a military honor formation, both countries' anthems were played for the guests.
Following the ceremony, the two royals proceeded to the iconic Brandenburg Gate, where they were accorded warm greetings by Mayor Kai Wegner. Amid the crowd, some spectators even waved Belgian flags in support.
Wegner shared a heartfelt sentiment, stating, "The state visit serves as an endorsement of the strong bond between Berlin and Belgium, further deepening our connection." A poignant wreath-laying ceremony was also scheduled at Neue Wache, the central German memorial honoring war victims and victims of tyranny.
Known for her composed demeanor, Queen Mathilde is the wife of King Philippe, also celebrated for preserving her calmness and reserved nature.
The main objective of their visit is to strengthen and focus on the partnership between Belgium and Germany, with particular emphasis on the energy transition. Their journey concludes on the third day in the enchanting city of Dresden.
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- The enthusiastic crowd that gathered at BER Airport to welcome the Belgian royal couple.
- Kai Wegner's convincing statement, expressing his belief that the state visit would strengthen the bond between Berlin and Belgium.
- Queen Mathilde, the elegant woman dressed in a dark green and gray ensemble, showcased her composure throughout.
- Wegner, a CDU politician, extended a warm welcome to the royal couple during their state visit in Berlin.
- Queen Mathilde, the calm and reserved partner of King Philippe, commemorated her tenth anniversary as queen this year.
- The state visit's primary focus: to strengthen Belgium and Germany's collaboration, particularly in energy transition efforts.
- President Steinmeier warmly welcomed the royal couple toward the beginning of their German state visit.
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Additional Insights:
During their visit, the Belgian royal couple is likely to have engaging discussions centered around:
- Energy Transition: Belgium's energy policy emphasizes the transition to sustainable energy sources, focusing on nuclear energy, offshore wind, and hydrogen production. The state visit could have included discussions on collaborative efforts to achieve these goals, such as sharing best practices in nuclear energy, offshore wind development, and hydrogen production.
- European Cooperation: Belgium acknowledges the importance of aligning with European goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve climate neutrality. Discussions during the state visit could focus on how Belgium and Germany can work together to address these challenges, particularly in the context of state aid policies and coordinated energy strategies.
- Climate Policy: Belgium adheres to an integrated climate policy, focusing on reducing emissions, environmental protection, and promoting a circular economy. The partnership between the two countries may have included exchanging ideas to foster job creation and industrial development while transitioning to a sustainable economy.
- International Cooperation: The Belgian royal family has been active in promoting international cooperation and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. The state visit could have served as an opportunity to reinforce these efforts, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation on global issues like climate change and sustainable development.