{
    "title": "Queen Mathilde to receive her own Ghent azalea at Florali\u00ebn",
    "modified_at": "2026-04-27 12:15:49",
    "published_at": "2026-04-27 12:24:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/queen-mathilde-to-receive-her-own-ghent-azalea-at-floralien",
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    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "queen-mathilde-to-receive-her-own-ghent-azalea-at-floralien",
    "body": "<p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>Queen Mathilde will receive her own Ghent azalea at the Ghent Florali&euml;n 2026. On Thursday, the monarch will officially lend her name to a new exclusive variety, presenting it to the general public for the first time. A day earlier, she and King Philippe will open the exhibition.</strong></p><p style=\"text-align: left\">The new azalea was developed by Drieghe Azalea from Lochristi, a family business specialising in the breeding of Ghent azaleas.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&ldquo;Behind a single plant lies a process of selection, crossbreeding, and expertise spanning more than 10 years,&rdquo; the organisers said in a press release. The variety stands out for its white-pink bloom and refined colour variations.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">With the naming, one of the most recognisable export products of the Flemish floriculture sector receives symbolic recognition. The Ghent azalea has long served as a flagship of the industry and is closely tied to the Florali&euml;n, which has been held in Ghent since 1808. The new &ldquo;Mathilde&rdquo; azalea is set to become the flagship variety of this edition.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Florali&euml;n Ghent is an international plant and flower festival, held every four years, during which the city is dedicated to floral creativity and connection. For ten days, iconic locations including the Florali&euml;nhal, &rsquo;t Kuipke and the Botanical Garden in the Arts Quarter&ndash;Citadel Park provide the backdrop for large-scale floral displays. Leading national and international florists, ornamental growers, landscape architects and artists present their work throughout the event.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&nbsp;</p><p><sup>#FlandersNewsService | Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Philippe during a royal visit to the opening of the Floralien Ghent 2022 flower show &copy; PHOTO BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE</sup></p><hr /><p><strong>Related news</strong></p><div id=\"bookmark-9350a5a4-1451-4a83-aef5-bef3c229a7eb\"\n     class=\"release-content-bookmark release-content-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__thumbnail\"\n           href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/ticket-sales-begin-for-public-opening-of-royal-greenhouses-at-laeken\"\n           rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n           target=\"_blank\"           style=\"background-image: url(https://prezly.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2Fbdb5da30-f35e-477b-b499-cecefda27f79%2F-%2Fpreview%2F600x600%2F?ar=1%3A1&amp;fit=crop&amp;s=a6d2771beb187681dbcc7d0fb7b589ed)\"\n        ></a>\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__details\">\n\n                    <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__title\"\n               href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/ticket-sales-begin-for-public-opening-of-royal-greenhouses-at-laeken\"\n               rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n               target=\"_blank\"               data-type=\"bookmark\"\n               data-track=\"Story WebBookmark Click\"\n               data-placement=\"content\"\n               data-id=\"9350a5a4-1451-4a83-aef5-bef3c229a7eb\"\n           >\n                Ticket sales begin for public opening of Royal Greenhouses at Laeken            </a>\n        \n                    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__description\">\n                The annual public opening of the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken will take place from 17 April to 10 May. 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    "links": [
        {
            "description": "Ticket sales begin for public opening of Royal Greenhouses at Laeken",
            "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/ticket-sales-begin-for-public-opening-of-royal-greenhouses-at-laeken"
        },
        {
            "description": "Thousands of free tulips welcome in the spring in Antwerp",
            "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/thousands-of-free-tulips-welcome-in-the-spring-in-antwerp"
        }
    ],
    "author": {
        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
    },
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