Belgian State Visit to Luxembourg

~ Saad719

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium are undertaking a State Visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, where are being hosted by their cousins, the Grand Ducal Family, from October 15-17. Click HERE to learn about previous Belgian State Visits to Luxembourg. 

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King Philippe and Queen Mathilde traveled to the Grand Duchy by train, being welcomed by their cousin, Grand Duke Henri and Officials at Luxembourg Station, ahead of an Official Welcome Ceremony outside the Grand Ducal Palace, which was followed by the laying of a wreath at the ‘Monument de la Solidarité Nationale‘, the national war memorial of Luxembourg. Later, the King and Queen had a private luncheon with Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Theresa (who has just had surgery, so will not be participating in the State Visit) at the Grand Ducal Palace.

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In the afternoon, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde received the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Fernand Etgen, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, at the Grand Ducal Palace, before being received by the Mayor of Luxembourg at the Luxembourg Town Hall, following a a short tour of the City in the Corniche.

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In the evening, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Theresa hosted a glittering State Banquet in honour of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie were also present. Both the King and Grand Duke gave speeches.

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At the Banquet, King Philippe wore Uniform with the Sash and Star of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau. Queen Mathilde wore a purple gown with the Nine Provinces Tiara, Queen Fabiola’s Pearl Earrings, and the Sash and Star of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau. Grand Duke Henri wore Uniform with the Sash and Star of the Order of Leopold. Grand Duchess Maria Theresa wore a green gown with the Belgian Scroll Tiara and Emerald Earrings and Bracelets. Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume wore Uniform with the Sash and Star of the Order of the Crown. Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie wore a cream Moroccan Kaftan with the Citrine/Topaz Tiara, Earrings, and the Sash and Star of the Order of the Crown.

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On October 16th, King Philippe and Grand Duke Henri visited the Diekirch Military Center, reviewing the troops, and laying a wreath at the commemorative plaque in memory of the army personnel who died in service, followed by a visit to the Herrenberg Parking Hall and to Bezdorf Castle, SES headquarters, for a visit to the satellite control center. Later, King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, and Grand Duke Henri attended a reception hosted by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, and the Minister-President of the German-speaking Community of Belgium at Bourglinster Castle, seeing the virtual exhibition “100 Years Ostbelgien” , ahead of a luncheon hosted by the Prime Minister.

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Queen Mathilde and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie visited the Belval campus of the University of Luxembourg, meeting rectors, professors and researchers participating in the Medical Innovation Symposium. Later, King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, and Grand Duke Henri attended a space symposium at the Neumünster Abbey Cultural Center and then the Queen attended in a meeting & Audio-visual Greet, before the royal couple has a guided tour of the photographic exhibition retracing the highlights of the Stand Speak Rise Up! organized by the Grand Duchess.

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In the evening, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde (wearing her Diamond Fringe Earrings) hosted a Return Concert for Grand Duke Henri and dignitaries at the Philharmonie Luxembourg. Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibylla were also present.

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On the final day, King Philippe and Grand Duke Henri visited the Chamber of Commerce participating in a Meet & Greet with representatives of “Success Stories” followed by a signing of memorandums of understanding between Belgium and Luxembourg. Later, King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, and Grand Duke Henri visited the Center Nature and Forest Biodiversum Camille Gira in Remerschen, and then the Schengen European Center, followed by a cruise and luncheon aboard the ship MS Princess Marie-Astrid Schengen, and a visit to the Wine Institute. The State Visit ended with the departure ceremony in front of the Grand Ducal Palace, during which the Grand Duke took leave of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.

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