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The banquets have been at Laeken for a long, long time now.
Here's also Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz. Astrid is probably wearing the Savoy-Aosta tiara, but I'm not sure
Thanks. It is indeed. Here's more clearYes that is the Savoy-Aosta tiara.
Is king Philippe always so stiff? He seemed to have a lot of trouble walking.
He had an accident recently while attempting to “ wingsurf”. King Willem-Alexander mentioned it in his speech.
BTW, the speeches by both kings were a bit odd, perhaps reflecting the peculiar intertwined history of Belgium and the Netherlands. King Willem-Alexander in particular was a bit undiplomatic in my opinion, but Kkng Philippe also teased the Dutch and mocked Dutch pride at times. Quite weird if you ask me.
What's happened with the Royal Palace? Is it under renovation? Why the banquet is at Laeken?
Some photos from last nights Gala Banquet at Laeken
https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?zoektype=2&search=20-06-2023 Gala
It seems that Edoard Vermeulen (Natan) also attended the state banquet.
The Queens seem to have coordinated the wardrobe. On the first day the Dutch one wore a Belgian designer (Natan) and the Belgian one wore a designer who is located in the Netherlands (Iversen). The colours they wore were simular to the 2006 state visit: Mathilde in red and Máxima in beige. And today both ladies are in a floral print. They seem to know each other well.
Nice that they are spending the day in Wallonia. The King has been in Waterloo nearly 10 years ago to commemorate the battle.
I assume the next Belgo-Dutch state visit can only be held in quite some time. Though protocol around this issue may be relaxed in the future when deemed practical.
What a great speech. Humourous and self-reflecting and at the same time it is filled with warmth and affection.
Is King Philips speech also online?
Ah we got again to see some pics from an afterwards reception in the Greenhouses. We usually don't get to see pics from that. They only time remember it was the last dutch SV in 2006.
What was undiplomatic in your opinion? Imho Willem-Alexander was mostly self-deprecating in his speech - explaining how the Netherlands had not sufficiently valued the contribution of what was then the Southern part of the country; he clearly knows his history (he graduated in history, so he should) and incorporated both the past and various aspects of the visit in his speech.
Astrid and Lorenz will attend the banquet, but Laurent and Claire will not. They were invited but they will not be present.
Another question: Elisabeth's exams were concluded?
And he,WA,did so very well indeed...and very funny referring to the Sinfonietta tonight as opposed to an opera,as he found that a tad tricky..hahaha...
but then one has to know what that was about.
Love this,plus the speechess,and how they get along,the girls couldn´t stop talking...Haha..
(..)
Why are both national anthems played at the beginning of the banquet rather than playing each of them in alternate order after each Head of State's speech as they do in the UK? It seems that the British way makes much more sense.
Just a different practice. If you ask me I think to play the anthems at the beginning is much more sensible though.
Indeed,it is,to have them performed by a choir is just sublime.Loved it,all did I think.
Indeed,it is,to have them performed by a choir is just sublime.Loved it,all did I think.
Marengo said:Tonight there will be a concert by the Amsterdam orchestra. In his speech the Dutch king joked that he thought it better not to organise an opera in Brussels (the Belgian independance from the Netherlands started after an opera).