Royal Duo: Mathilde and Sonja Dazzle in Tiara Splendor
Belgium's royal visit to Norway strengthens ties with grand state banquet
A night of glittering elegance in Oslo: Queen Mathilde and Queen Sonja stole the show at the state banquet, their dazzling tiaras drawing all eyes.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium (53) and Queen Sonja of Norway (88) made a resplendent appearance at the Royal Palace in Oslo on Tuesday evening for a state banquet honoring the Belgian royals. Both queens arrived in magnificent gowns and sparkling tiaras before 184 invited guests. The glamorous event was hosted by King Harald V (89) and Queen Sonja, who welcomed Belgium's King Philippe (65) and Queen Mathilde during their three-day state visit, as reported by Hello! magazine. The trip aims to further strengthen and showcase the strong ties between Belgium and Norway.
Mathilde wore the Nine Provinces Tiara, one of the most prestigious diadems in the Belgian crown jewels. The over-a-century-old piece, featuring a bandeau setting and diamonds, holds a special connection to the hosts—it was once a gift to Princess Astrid (94), Harald's aunt. The 53-year-old paired it with a gold lace gown by Armani, the same dress she wore in 2019 at Emperor Naruhito's enthronement gala in Japan. Sonja donned Queen Maud's Pearl Tiara, accessorizing with her Drapers' Company brooch, the Order of Leopold, and the Royal Family Order of Harald. King Harald, 89, who has faced health challenges in recent months—including a recent hospital stay in Tenerife—attended the event with the aid of walking supports.
An unexpected twist came earlier in the afternoon when Crown Princess Mette-Marit (52) was added to the official program at the last minute, participating in a gift exchange in the palace's Bird Room. It marked her first public engagement in two months. The palace had initially announced that the 52-year-old would not attend due to health reasons; Mette-Marit has battled pulmonary fibrosis since 2018. Despite recent headlines surrounding the family's Epstein connections, Norway's royals presented a united front during the state visit. The official program began on Tuesday with a welcome by Crown Prince Haakon (52) at Oslo Airport and will conclude on Thursday. (This article was produced in cooperation withpromiflash.de)
