Brigitte Macron and Mathilde of Belgium: A Royal Ballet Day at the Paris Opera
Ah, the Paris Opera! Where art meets architecture, and—apparently—the Queen of Belgium and France’s First Lady don their best ballet shoes! You know, just your average Tuesday, right? Well, on October 14, 2024, it was a day to remember as Brigitte Macron and Queen Mathilde turned a cultural excursion into an absolute royal affair. Every day should probably end with a ballet, though I can’t help but wonder how many pairs of ballet flats they have at home.
As they descended into the opulence of Palais Garnier, our dynamic duo arrived bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, showing us all that a good dose of art can rejuvenate even the busiest schedule. Let’s face it; you can hardly be “busy” after a morning of military ceremonies while sporting an elegant tiara, right? The stakes are high when you’re royalty—if the tiara doesn’t shine, do we even have a duty to uphold?
Star-Struck at the Ballet
Our regal ladies began their grand tour in the Room of Paintings, exhibiting thrilling exchanges that evidently fed their cultural appetites. One can only picture the banter: “Darling, this brushstroke is exquisite! Can you believe we don’t have any of these at home?” Makes you wonder if they ever barter classic frames in their free time.
Moving swiftly past the lavish Grand Foyer—designed by the illustrious Charles Garnier, who was clearly on a streak of architectural genius—the Queen let loose a grand “It’s magnificent!” while striking a pose for a souvenir photo. A masterclass in posing, if you will. Next on the agenda was a peek behind the curtain, quite literally, into the secretive backstage of the Opéra, where dreams—and costumes—come to life!
Dance Like No One’s Watching
Ah, but the absolute cherry on top was the fluttering excitement backstage in the Petipa dance studio. Mathilde and Brigitte were glued to the rehearsal for *Mayerling* by Kenneth MacMillan—as if it were the latest binge-worthy series. “Look at the dedication!” I can just hear them ooze over the balletic footwork. Then, to heighten the royal pulse just a tad more, cue the handsome Belgian dancer Thomas Docquir, freshly crowned as “Premier danseur.” Of course, he took time to chat with the dynamic female duo—who wouldn’t want an audience with such elegantly poised women?
Snapping Up Tiaras and Costumes
Now, one shouldn’t visit an Opera without a brief stint in the “blurry workshop”—where they hand-stitch the costumes that transform dancers into ethereal creatures. Because let’s be honest, nothing ruins the sensuality of ballet more than a wrongly stitched tutu! Brigitte and Mathilde mingled with seamstresses as they delicately displayed their craft, all while chatting about the exquisite pieces that would likely give us mere mortals a small heart attack at price tags.
Then, they ventured into the “Central costume workshop” where tiaras and jewelry from *Mayerling* lay waiting, diamonds glistening as if they were saying, “Choose me! Choose me!” Surely this was less about admiring costumes and more about naughty daydreams of wearing them at royal soirées.
The Grand Conclusion
After an hour rich with aesthetics and joy, it was time to wrap up this enchanting chapter of their state visit. Flushing from the excitement of a busy morning, which started with a military welcome beneath the solemn Arch of Triumph, the women had a day that could put any fashion week to shame. Imagine the Instagram posts! Talk about taking diplomacy to the next level with a healthy dash of cultural appreciation. Who knew that the best sort of state visits were those with a dash of pirouettes and plumage?
So here’s to Brigitte and Mathilde—muses of ballet, queens of style—embodying everything a regal state visit should be. If this is how they kick-off an official visit, I can’t wait to see their next tactful cultural escapade. Because who doesn’t need a bit of royal glamour in a world obsessed with dull politics?
Read more about royal visits: Philippe and Mathilde from Belgium: the start of their state visit to France!
It was Brigitte Macron herself who had the idea for this exceptional visit. To the delight of Mathilde of Belgium! This October 14, 2024, the Queen went to the Paris Opera alongside the First Lady, on the first day of her state visit to France. A 100% feminine cultural commitment for these two lovers of ballet and dance.
Mathilde of Belgium and Brigitte Macron arrived at the Palais Garnier in the middle of the afternoon. © Sarah Meyssonnier/AP/SIPA
It is 3 p.m. when the Queen of the Belgians and Brigitte Macron, happy to meet again after a morning together, rush into the imposing monument located in the 9th arrondissement of the capital. Their schedule is busy, there’s no question of wasting a minute! The visit begins in the Room of Paintings in which both are very attentive, increasing the exchanges. After a quick passage through the sublime Grand Foyer, designed by Charles Garnier, the marathon continues. “It’s magnificent,” enthuses the queen as she poses for a souvenir photo on one of the building’s balconies.
Accomplices, they took a souvenir photo on one of the balconies of the Opéra Garnier. © Sarah Meyssonnier/AP/SIPA
Once through some rather cramped backstage areas, they are in one of the beating hearts: the Petipa dance studio to attend a rehearsal of the play Mayerling by Kenneth MacMillan. The First Lady and Mathilde of Belgium do not miss a bit of the meticulous spectacle that unfolds before their eyes, both charmed by the dedication and vitality of the dancers. The queen is particularly attentive. Thomas Docquir, a Belgian dancer recently promoted to “Premier danseur”, is among the troupe. At the end of the sequence, the young man exchanges a few words with the wife of King Philippe and Brigitte Macron, curious to know more about his journey.
Brigitte Macron and Mathilde from Belgium attended the rehearsal of the play Mayerling by Kenneth MacMillan in the Petipa dance studio. © Sarah Meyssonnier/AP/SIPA
One of the other highlights of the afternoon is undoubtedly the visit to the “blurry workshop”, where women’s costumes are created – as opposed to the “tailor workshop” where men are dressed . The Queen of the Belgians and the First Lady do not hesitate to chat with the little hands who watch over and caress these exceptional pieces in order to make the public dream. The duo then heads inside the “Central costume”, where a multitude of clothing is displayed. But not only that! In particular, Brigitte Macron and Mathilde of Belgium are presented with the tiaras and jewelry present in the Mayerling ballet, named after the hunting lodge in which the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Rodolphe, was found dead in 1889.
After a visit of more than an hour, it is time for both to close this sequence rich in wonder. For the Queen of the Belgians and the First Lady, the day began early in the morning at the Arc de Triomphe with a military welcome ceremony. Drums beating, the sovereign couple continued with an exchange at the Élysée Palace with the Head of State, then a meeting in Matignon with the Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, and his wife. The state visit of Philippe and Mathilde has well and truly begun.
In the morning, both had attended the military welcome ceremony under the Arc de Triomphe. © Lemouton / POOL/SIPA
Read also >> Philippe and Mathilde from Belgium: the start of their state visit to France!
