We missed Wedding Wednesday last week. It's actually Thursday in Australia, but since a lot of you are still in Wednesday I'll squeeze it in this week.
I thought we'd look at the 1999 wedding of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium since they celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary just 6 days ago.
This is the royal couple on their wedding day. In 1999 Philippe's parents King Albert II and Queen Paola were still ruling so they were just simply Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant and Princess Mathilde of Belgium. As most royal brides Mathilde's train is quite long. I really love the sleeves and I think the veil is beautiful. They've kept the veil away from her face, which is great. Mathilde has such a pretty face it should be seen. I'm not a fan of the collar, makes me think of a jumper, when it's meant to be a wedding dress.
Here we have more of a close up. Mathilde has very little make-up which works beautifully on her. She is wearing Queen Elisabeth's Diamond Bandeau Tiara. This is without a doubt the most important tiara in the Belgian collection (they have 3 really important ones). It's only ever worn by the queen or by a bride of Belgium. It's a really beautiful tiara made up of the letter E over, and over again.
Mathilde had quite a large bouquet which can you see below.
I actually think this bouquet is too big for Mathilde's small frame. You can also see her shoes more clearly here. White and practical, not too high.
That's the bride and groom. There were many other royal guests of course. Belgian weddings are less formal than say Denmark, Sweden or Norway. With the exception of the bride we don't see any tiaras and no flowing gowns from the ladies. Let's take a look:
Grand Duke Jean & his wife Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte of Luxembourg. The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were not just in attendance as foreign royalty, but as the uncle & aunt of the groom. Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte was the elder sister of King Albert II of Belgium.
Prince Alexander and Princess Esmerelda. They are the half uncle and half aunt of the groom. Children of King Leopold III's 2nd marriage.
Mathilde and Philippe with some of their flower girls. The girl in the middle at the front is Princess Luisa-Maria of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este. Luisa-Maria is Philippe's niece, daughter of Princess Astrid of Belgium. Luisa-Maria was 4 years old at the time.
I'm not sure why she's dressed in black but the girl in the back is Princess Maria-Laura, Archduchess of Austria-Este, eldest daughter of Princess Astrid of Belgium and niece of Philippe. Maria-Laura was 11 years old back then. This is the point where I say I can't stand these flower girl and page boy outfits. This photo looks like it should be for Christmas not a wedding.
The groom's parents of course. King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium. Queen Paola looks amazing, I love her little black gloves. Very regal, and queen like.
Philippe's 1st Cousin, Hereditary Grand Duke Jean and his wife Hereditary Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg (Of course now they hold the title of Duke and Duchess since Henri's father abdicated).
Philippe's older sister, Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este and her husband Prince Lorenz of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este. With her fur shoulder shrug Princess Astrid really does look a princess.
Philippe's younger brother Prince Laurent of Belgium arrives with Queen Fabiola of Belgium.
Aunt of Philippe, and former Queen of Belgium, Queen Fabiola. Her hat is certainly fab!
Prince Felipe of Spain
Queen Silvia of Sweden
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
Former King Constantin and Queen Anne Marie of Greece
One of my favourite royals, Princess Martha Louise of Norway
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