Royal Children Return to School

It seems that the summer months just breezed by this year and already the royal children are returning to their schools and studies. Keeping it stylishly simple in a gray sweater and white slacks, Belgian's Princess Mathilde, accompanied by Prince Philippe ushered their children back to school on September 1st. Besides Elisabeth and Gabriel returning to the routine of classes, their younger brother, Prince Emmanuel joined them for his first day of school.

Last month, Prince Felix of Denmark joined his brother, Prince Nikolai, at Krebs School for the first time. He was taken to school by his mother, Countess Alexandra and his step-father, Martin Jørgensen where his father, Prince Joachim, was waiting to greet him on his first day of classes.

As the school year goes into full swing, some fashion advice was offered by Crown Princess Pavlos of Greece who urged mothers to keep their attire low maintenance and have a stylish coat on hand which can spruce up their appearance.

Mathilde and Pavlos Named on Best-Dressed List

Vanity Fair magazine has announced the international best-dressed list of 2008. Amongst those noted for their style were Princess Mathilde of Belgium and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece. Winsome Mathilde was recognized for her tailored look in suits and dresses on royal engagements and Pavlos for his classic business suits and casual wear. The prince was also inducted into International Best-Dressed Hall of Fame. His wife, Marie-Chantal, received the International Best-Dressed Hall of Fame honour in 1999.

Vanity Fair’s 2008 International Best-Dressed List can be read here.

Belgian Royals Engage in Water Play at Zoo

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde took their brood of four, Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel and Princess Eléonore on a trip to Zoo Antwerpen this week. Dressed in pink and white, eleven-week-old Princess Eléonore calmly surveyed her surroundings whilst her older siblings reveled in the fresh air and squirted water from huge amphibians with their father at one of the fountains.Photos: REUTERS

Christening of Princess Eléonore

On June 14th, Princess Eléonore, nine and a half week old daughter of Princess Mathilde and Prince Philippe, was christened in the chapel at the Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet. Cardinal Godfried Danneels presided over the service. Her godparents are Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, her aunt Princess Claire and Count Sébastien von Westphalen zu Fürstenberg.Photos: REUTERS, Associated Press/Olivier Poulet

Queen Fabiola Gathers Belgian Royals for Her 80th Birthday

The Belgian Royal Family gathered at the Castle of Laeken Tuesday afternoon to celebrate Queen Fabiola’s eightieth birthday. She had her party a week early; the queen does not turn eighty until June 11th. Princess Mathilde was in attendance along with seven-week-old Princess Eléonore, who also carries the name Fabiola amongst her five names. Doña Fabiola Fernanda Maria de las Victorias Antonia Adelaïda de Mora y Aragón was born on June 11, 1928 in Madrid. She married King Baudouin on December 15, 1960. She was thirty-two years old. King Baudouin passed away July 31, 1993. They were married thirty-two years.

Trained as a nurse, the queen has focused on issues such as dyslexia and mental health. She has also devoted time to initiatives that help the disadvantage in the Belgian population and Third World countries. Amongst her talents, the queen speaks fluent Spanish, French, Dutch, English, German and Italian.Photos: REUTERS

Princess Eléonore Leaves Hospital

Princess Eléonore departed from the hospital this afternoon with her parents, Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde. She was born on April 16th. Before her appearance, Prince Philippe went to Anderlecht’s city hall to sign her birth certificate and before leaving the hospital, he and Mathilde fielded some questions from the media whilst Eléonore rested in her mother’s arms.
Photos: REUTERS

Prince Philippe Will Declare Eléonore’s Birth on Monday

On April 21st, Prince Philippe will go to city hall in Anderlecht to declare Eléonore’s birth. Later that afternoon, Princess Mathilde, accompanied by Prince Philippe, will depart Erasme hospital with Princess Eléonore. The little princess has already met her older siblings and slept her way through her first photo session.

Photos: REUTERS, Associated Press and the Belgian Monarchy

A Daughter Is Born to Princess Mathilde and Prince Philippe

This morning, Belgium's Princess Mathilde gave birth to a daughter at 4:50 am (local time) at the Erasme à Anderlecht. The names bestowed upon the little princess are Eléonore Fabiola Victoria Anne Marie. She weighed 3,210 kg (7.07lbs) and her length 50 cm (19.69in). Her godparents are Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Princess Claire of Belgium and Count Sébastien von Westphalen zu Fürstenberg.

Photo: REUTERS

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde Release Family Photos for the New Year

At the Royal Castle of Laeken, Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde gathered their brood, Princess Elisabeth(6), Prince Gabriel(4) and Prince Emmanuel(2) for a charming photo session. When the photos were released today, the prince and princess issued a brief message to “express their gratitude” for the many people they had a chance to meet in the 300+ engagements over the past year.

Below is a segment from Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde 2008 New Year message.

“At the start of this new year, we would like to start with a look back over 2007.”

“We are very grateful that we were able to attend more than three hundred events over the past year at home and all over the world during Belgian missions abroad.”

“We had the chance to meet so many people and experience their enthusiasm and dedication; we listened full of interest to them, admiring their expertise, encouraging them and full of admiration for their daily efforts.”

“We also came into contact with many of the more vulnerable in society and people who have lots of problems. They left a deep impression on us... We were able to experience, time and time again, the treasure of potential that is present in our country in all segments of our society...”

“In our various duties, just like last year, we will continue to do our best to be of service to the country and our fellow Belgians. Your appreciation and gratitude encourages day after day.”

“We wish you much happiness for the New Year!”

Mathilde is due in the spring with her fourth child.

Photo: Associated Press/Royal palace, HO

The Portraits of Máxima and Mathilde Represent Van Gogh and Magritte

With alacrity, Belgian’s Princess Mathilde and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands attended a reception at the Gemeentemuseum in the Hague on Tuesday. The princesses were dressed stylishly in similar houndstooth coats. At the event, the book “The Painting of the Low Countries” published by the Amsterdam University Press and featuring Dutch and Belgian paintings from the 1400s until 2000 was given to Máxima and Mathilde. In a clever manipulation of the original artists, two of the paintings representing part three of “The Painting of the Low Countries,” Romanticism until the present, were recreated in the images of the two princesses at the presentation. Princess Máxima’s portrait represented the self-portrait of Vincent Van Gogh titled “Self-Portrait with Felt Hat” and Princess Mathilde’s portrait represented the self-portrait of René Magritte titled “The Son of Man” with one unique twist; the apple was placed next to her face instead of obscuring it.

Photo: ANP

Princess Mathilde's Baby Due in the Spring 2008

The Belgian Monarchy has issued the news that Princess Mathilde is expecting her fourth child in the spring 2008. Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde have three children, Elisabeth, Gabriel and Emmanuel. Elisabeth is five years old and heir to the throne after her father. Gabriel is four years old and Emmanuel, the youngest, just turned two years old today.

In the announcement, King Albert, Queen Paola, the Royal Family and the family of Princess Mathilde expressed their happiness for the royal couple.