Royal couple begin 3-day state visit to Germany
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde arrived in Berlin on Tuesday morning for a three-day state visit to Germany. They were welcomed with 21 gunshots at Brandenburg airport.
Federal president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, welcomed the couple on Tuesday afternoon at Schloss Bellevue, the official residence, where Philippe presented them with the Grand Ribbon in the Order of Leopold.
The royal couple were received by mayor of Berlin Kai Wegner at the Brandenburg Gate, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the New Watchhouse, a monument to all victims of war and violence. The day will end with a state banquet at Schloss Bellevue.
During the visit, delegations from the Belgian business and academic communities will hold meetings with their German counterparts. Discussions will focus on economic cooperation, space travel and the green energy transition. King Philippe will also meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The delegation includes Hilde Crevits and Philippe Henry, the deputy minister presidents of Flanders and Wallonia, and the leaders of the Brussels Region (Rudi Vervoort), Wallonia-Brussels Federation (Pierre-Yves Jeholet) and German-speaking Community (Oliver Paasch).
Industry and academia are also represented, including the CEOs of Fluxys, Elia and Umicore and the rectors of most Belgian universities.
On Thursday, the group will visit Dresden, before flying back to Melsbroek.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Brandenburg Gate during their state visit to Berlin © PHOTO REUTERS/ANNEGRET HILSE
Related news
