16.04.2024

State Visit to Belgium - First Day

Upon invitation of T.M. the King and the Queen of the Belgians, T.R.H. the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess have started a three-day State Visit to the Kingdom of Belgium this Tuesday.

The visit to our Belgian neighbours is particularly important in several respects: the two countries share a rich common history - as well as being a family history - which has served as a platform for the development of bilateral relations and a shared international role (Benelux and the European Union).

The dense three-day programme is aimed at strengthening opportunities for cooperation around a wide range of themes: economy, sustainable development, education, health, defence and space. A large delegation of 125 Luxembourg business representatives will be accompanying Their Royal Highnesses on this State Visit.

Official welcome ceremony

This Tuesday morning, at the “Place des Palais”, T.M. the King and the Queen of the Belgians welcomed T.R.H. the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess during the official welcome ceremony. The Belgian Royal Couple and the Grand Ducal Couple then returned to the Palace for a bilateral exchange.

Homage ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

T.R.H. the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess then proceeded to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at the "Colonne du Congrès", for a ceremony in memory of the soldiers who died in combat during the First and Second World Wars. After a minute's silence, the Grand Duke rekindled the Eternal Flame.

Visit to the Federal Parliament

The morning continued at the "Palais de la Nation", the seat of the Federal Parliament, where the Grand Ducal Couple met the Presidents and members of the Senate and the House of Representatives in their impressive hemicycles.

Meeting with the Mayor of the City of Brussels

After a lunch focused on European matters, Their Majesties and Their Royal Highnesses met the Mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close, at the City Hall of Brussels.

The visit ended with the traditional appearance on the balcony from which the Royal Couple and the Grand Ducal Couple greeted the public gathered on the famous "Grand Place", "the most beautiful square in the world".