National Day celebrations

After the investiture of King Philippe the National Day celebrations continued, ending with a huge firework and Mathilde and Philippe on the balcony.

Abdication of King Albert II. and investiture of King Philippe

Today, on the National Day of Belgium, the abdication of King Albert II. and the investiture of King Philippe took place in Brussels.



Mathilde was (of course) wearing a dress by Natan.

So, we have a new addition to this blog. Crown Princess Mathilde is now Queen Mathilde - one of three Queens in Belgium actually, as Queen Fabiola and Queen Paola haven't lost their titles. Elisabeth is now known as Crown Princess.

I have to admit that I'm not a big Mathilde fan, as I find her rather boring. That's why I'm going to cover just the most important events and not every single one.

King Albert II. to abdicate!

Belgian King Albert II. is going to address the nation at 6 p.m. today to announce his abdication, that is going to take place on July 21st.

Personally I thought Letizia would be the next one to join Queens' lives, but I seem to be mistaken. It's going to be Queen Mathilde in less than three (!) weeks.

Maxima's dress for the Water Pageant

After this gorgeous blue dress by Jan Taminiau during the inauguration ceremony, she wore another one of his dresses later in the evening at the water pageant.

Maxima's inauguration dress

While Maxima's dress she wore to the abdication was by the Belgian house Natan, her inauguration dress was made by Jan Taminiau.

She wore the colour matching Mellerio Sapphire Tiara in its full version for the first time.

Official pictures of the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander

The Dutch Royal Court published the official pictures, taken after the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander.

Inauguration of King Willem-Alexander I.

The inauguration of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima took place at Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam at 2 p.m.