[Wim Dehandschutter]

Royalty-journalist @HLN_be, @VTMNieuws, magazines @DPGMediaBe / royal commentator on TV-radio // [email protected]

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪 Belgian Princess Astrid turns 64 today.

🪙 King Philippe’s sister led royal trade missions for years but stepped down late 2025 due to health.

🎙️ On Dutch TV, I explain what’s going on: “Her biggest problem is that she wants to do things far too well.”https://t.co/hOhv8YA3Hx

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪🇳🇱🇯🇵 The Emperor, paying a State Visit to NL and Belgium combined, holds an almost untouchable position in Japanese society and commands respect.

He rarely travels abroad. Since his 2019 accession, he has made 3 State Visits, including the UK (King Charles and Queen Camilla).

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪🇯🇵 Belgian Crown Princess Elisabeth making her debut at the highest diplomatic level with Japan is highly significant.

👑 This upcoming State Visit is (one of) the most prestigious of King Philippe’s reign, given the unique status of Emperor Naruhito. https://t.co/G6EsWIKyRt

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪🇯🇵 The Japanese ambassador to Belgium, @JapanEmbBelgium, highlighted the close royal ties.

👑 Emperor Naruhito and King Philippe were both born in 1960 and had their first child in 2001 (Aiko and Elisabeth).

💬 “The same generations bring these families together beautifully.”

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🚨 ELISABETH MAKES STATE VISIT DEBUT

🇧🇪🇯🇵 King Philippe and Queen Mathilde include Princess Elisabeth in a State Visit for the 1st time (Japan to Belgium later this month).

🛬 She will welcome Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako upon arrival at Melsbroek.https://t.co/dOd0vpWO2n

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪🇯🇵 The Japanese Ambassador to Belgium announced at a press briefing that Crown Princess Elisabeth will join the State Visit (June 20-25), calling her presence “a meaningful sign of commitment”. She will welcome Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako upon arrival in Belgium.

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🚨 ELISABETH MAKES STATE VISIT DEBUT

🇧🇪🇯🇵 King Philippe and Queen Mathilde include Princess Elisabeth in a State Visit for the 1st time (Japan to Belgium later this month).

🛬 She will welcome Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako upon arrival at Melsbroek.https://t.co/dOd0vpWO2n

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🚨 ELISABETH MAKES STATE VISIT DEBUT

🇧🇪🇯🇵 King Philippe and Queen Mathilde include Princess Elisabeth in a State Visit for the 1st time (Japan to Belgium later this month).

🛬 She will welcome Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako upon arrival at Melsbroek.https://t.co/dOd0vpWO2n

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

👑 Right now: Some kind of ceremonial reception at the Royal Palace in Brussels with the mounted escort.

🇧🇪🇯🇵 But the real spectacle happens in 3 weeks during the State Visit of #Japan (Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako) to Belgium (King Philippe and Queen Mathilde).

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪🇯🇵 Day 1 (Tuesday) of the Japanese State Visit to Belgium concludes with a state banquet at the Castle of Laeken.

On Wednesday, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako wrap up their visit at the Royal Domain with a tour of the Japanese Tower (pictured) and the Royal Greenhouses.

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇯🇵🇧🇪 STATE VISIT JAPAN TO BELGIUM

• Who: Emperor Naruhito & Empress Masako
• Hosts:King Philippe & Queen Mathilde
• When: June 20–25 (following their State Visit to The Netherlands)
• Where: Brussels, Laeken, Namur & Leuven

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🚨 The Emperor & Empress of Japan arrive in Belgium from the NL on Saturday, June 20. Before their program begins, they’ll enjoy a private weekend with King Philippe & Queen Mathilde at Ciergnon Castle, the royal residence in the Ardennes. The State Visit starts Tuesday, June 23.

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇯🇵🇧🇪 STATE VISIT JAPAN TO BELGIUM

• Who: Emperor Naruhito & Empress Masako
• Hosts:King Philippe & Queen Mathilde
• When: June 20–25 (following their State Visit to The Netherlands)
• Where: Brussels, Laeken, Namur & Leuven

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇯🇵🇧🇪 STATE VISIT JAPAN TO BELGIUM

• Who: Emperor Naruhito & Empress Masako
• Hosts:King Philippe & Queen Mathilde
• When: June 20–25 (following their State Visit to The Netherlands)
• Where: Brussels, Laeken, Namur & Leuven

[Daily Mail @DailyMail]

Incredible bond between three future queens: Elisabeth of Belgium reveals she has a WhatsApp group with her fellow 20-something Princesses from The Netherlands and Norway to discuss their shared 'hurdles' https://t.co/Kh1OTzGy2T

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪🇺🇸 The airplane of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde - and mine - faced delays a moment ago due to severe thunderstorms over Brussels Airport.

🛬 We circled the airport for 20 minutes. We have landed safely but are still facing delays on the ground. 👇 https://t.co/UbyJGJ1v1V

[People @people]

Did Princess Elisabeth of Belgium Use Her Royal Title During Harvard University Graduation? https://t.co/FnxBdql7Sl

[People @people]

The Ultimate Royal Group Chat! Inside the Bond Between 3 Future European Queens, Including Their WhatsApp Group https://t.co/gLi5d2Ppmq

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪🇺🇸 Today, a day after graduating from Harvard, Belgian Princess Elisabeth is clearing out her student home in Cambridge.

🔑 She told me this week she shared an apartment here with friends for 2 years.

👋 Elisabeth is directly leaving Cambridge today. https://t.co/IWHqf1oLok

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪🇺🇸 According to my info, Princess Elisabeth dined last night with her parents, King Philippe & Queen Mathilde, to celebrate graduating from Harvard.

Philippe, after graduation: “We are going to celebrate with Elisabeth.” Mathilde: “For a few more hours.”https://t.co/ZAMH6qaf37

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪 Belgian King Philippe after the graduation of his daughter Crown Princess Elisabeth: “Now we are going to celebrate with Elisabeth. I think she is tired. She has already been celebrating a lot.”

Queen Mathilde: “We are going to celebrate here for a few more hours. Thank you.”

[Tatler @Tatlermagazine]

The sisterhood of the future queens: Princess Elisabeth of Belgium offers rare insight into her bond with her fellow monarchs-in-waiting
https://t.co/6igiPIZqdo

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪 Belgian King Philippe after the graduation of his daughter Crown Princess Elisabeth: “Now we are going to celebrate with Elisabeth. I think she is tired. She has already been celebrating a lot.”

Queen Mathilde: “We are going to celebrate here for a few more hours. Thank you.”

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪 Belgian King Philippe: “We’ve 2 more graduating [besides Elisabeth]. It’s celebration time! Gabriël finished military training”

Queen Mathilde: “He still has one exam”

Ph: “Almost done”

M: “Eléonore is finishing high school”

Ph: “Emmanuel continues studies. We’re pleased”

[[Wim Dehandschutter] @WDehandschutter]

🇧🇪🇺🇸 Belgian King Philippe, accompanied by Queen Mathilde, reacts to their daughter Princess Elisabeth’s graduation from Harvard:

💬 “We’re incredibly proud of Elisabeth. She did a wonderful job. This will help her enormously in the future. These will be long-lasting memories.”