Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium release loved-up portraits as they celebrate 25th wedding anniversary
- Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium wed on 4 December 1999
- READ MORE: Mathilde and Phillipe of Belgium abandon style for safety goggles
The Belgian Royal Palace has shared new portraits of Queen Mathilde and King Philippe to mark the royal couple's silver wedding anniversary today.
The reigning couple put on a loved-up display as they strolled hand in hand through a picturesque garden.
The Belgian Royal Palace wrote on their official Instagram page: 'The King and Queen are celebrating their silver wedding anniversary today. 25 years happily married, and here's to many more!'
Mathilde, 51, looked typically stylish in an all-white ensemble, including an ivory blouse with flowing sleeves. She completed the chic ensemble with a pair of pearl drop earrings.
Philippe looked equally dapper in a black suit and crisp white shirt as he lovingly gazed at his wife.
Philippe, then Crown Prince of Belgium, wed Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz in a civil ceremony at Brussels Town Hall and a religious ceremony at the city's Cathedral of Saint Michel and Saint Gudule in December 1999.
On their wedding day, Philippe opted for a military uniform while Mathilde wore an elegant ivory dress with a button-down jacket.
In the 25 years since their wedding day, Philippe and Mathilde have had four children: Princess Elisabeth, 23, Prince Gabriel, 21, Prince Emmanuel, 19, and Princess Eléonore, 16.
The Belgian Royal Palace have shared new portraits of Queen Mathilde and King Philippe to mark their silver wedding anniversary
Before they announced their engagement in 1999, Phillipe and Mathilde managed to keep their relationship a secret for three years.
Although reports have varied as to how they met, Philippe previously said that he 'knew right away' that Mathilde would be his 'future wife' after spotting her 'from afar'.
The Belgian Queen - who was born into one of Belgium's most respected noble families - earned a diploma with high honours in speech therapy and set up her own practice in Belgium when she was just 22-years-old.
She then went on to take a masters in psychology and continued her studies after marrying Prince Philippe, the heir to the Belgian throne, graduating in 2002 with honours.
Mathilde is the eldest child of Earl Patrick d’Udekem d’Acoz, who was the former mayor of Villers-la-Bonne-Eau, and his wife Anne, a Countess who fled Poland after WWII.
'Beautiful pictures of a very beautiful royal couple,' one royal fan gushed in the comments of their Instagram post.
'They are beautiful,' another added. 'Congratulations.'
The release of these portraits come after the royal pair attended at a State Banquet in Brussels for the Sultan of Oman yesterday evening.
The pair, who have been married for 25 years, looked every inch the loved up couple in the new images
Pictured: the King and Queen of Belgium on their wedding day at Brussels Town Hall in December 1999
Pictured: King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde with their children Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel and Princess Eleonore on Belgian National Day in July 2022
Joined by her husband, King Philippe, at the Palace of Laeken, the 51-year-old royal commanded attention in a blue sleeveless, floor-length gown teamed with a gem-encrusted navy cape.
Wearing an official sash and necklace, the glamorous mother-of-four posed up a storm with the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, before they enjoyed a sit-down dinner at the lavish castle.
The Sultan of Oman, who is also the Prime Minister, is undertaking a two-day state visit to Belgium.
For last night's occasion, Queen Mathilde finished her eye-catching ensemble with shimmering heels and a matching blue clutch bag.
She added an extra level of glitz to her outfit with her sparkling array of jewellery, including a dazzling tiara and diamond drop earrings.
Her husband looked equally smart in his military uniform, whilst the Sultan of Oman donned a traditional ensemble.
Keeping her hair pinned into an elegant up-do, the Belgium Queen completed her look with a smattering of glamorous makeup, including a bright red lip.
She rarely puts a fashion foot wrong - and Queen Mathilde of Belgium (pictured) didn't disappoint last night as she attended a State Banquet in Brussels for the Sultan of Oman
Joined by her husband, King Philippe (pictured right), at the Palace of Laeken, the 51-year-old royal commanded attention in a blue sleeveless, floor-length gown teamed with a gem-encrusted navy cape
Last month, Queen Mathilde proved she was every bit the maternal figure as she read a book to a group of children during a school visit.
The royal put on a stunning display as she arrived to read to a group of children at Desire Van Monckhoven elementary school in Ghent.
Mathilde - who attended without the company of her husband King Philippe - sported a stylish royal blue suit as she arrived at the school in the north of Belgium.
During the week, Ghent elementary school hosted the DITO vzw, an organisation of and for people with disabilities.
The organisation works to help provide equal opportunities for disabled people, helping them to participate in society - one of them being encouraging them to read aloud in schools.
