Explore the video of a customary reception held in South Africa for Philippe and Mathilde

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde have embarked on a visit to South Africa, with plans to visit the cities of Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. They are accompanied by several high-ranking government officials and a delegation of business and academic representatives. The Belgian sovereigns were greeted with a guard of honor at Freedom Park in Pretoria upon their arrival. This visit aimed to strengthen Belgium’s relationship with South Africa, which is home to the largest Belgian community in Africa. The royal couple also met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during their visit. Several photos of their meeting and welcome ceremony have been released to the public.

This Wednesday, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde took off for South Africa where they will visit the cities of Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

They are accompanied by Hadja Lahbib, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elio Di Rupo and Rudi Vervoort, respectively Minister-President of Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region, as well as a large delegation of business leaders and representatives of the academic world.

The king and queen arrived safely in South Africa where they were welcomed, as tradition dictates, with a beautiful guard of honor at Freedom Park in Pretoria.

Through this trip, Belgium aims to improve its relations with South Africa, which is home to the largest Belgian community in Africa.

This Thursday, the Belgian sovereigns also met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium, King Philippe – Filip of Belgium and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa pictured a a personal meeting of the royal couple with the South-African President, at the Union Buildings, the official seat of the South-African government, in Pretoria, during a state visit of the Belgian Royal Couple to the Republic of South Africa, Thursday 23 March 2023. (photo by Benoit Doppagne / Pool / Photo News

King Philippe – Filip of Belgium (R) pictured at the official welcome ceremony at the Union Buildings, the official seat of the South-African government, in Pretoria, during a state visit of the Belgian Royal Couple to the Republic of South Africa, Thursday 23 March 2023. (photo by Benoit Doppagne / Pool / Photo News

King Philippe of Belgium (2nd L) and Queen Mathilde of Belgium (L) is welcomed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (R) and Minister of Social Development of South Africa Lindiwe Zulu (2nd R) as they arrive for their state visit to South Africa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on March 23, 2023. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP) ©AFPor licensors

The state visit of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to South Africa has begun with a warm welcome and a beautiful guard of honor. Accompanied by a large delegation of business leaders and representatives of the academic world, the royal couple aims to improve Belgium’s relations with South Africa, which is home to the largest Belgian community in Africa. Their meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is a testament to the importance of this visit in strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. We look forward to hearing more about their trip and the outcomes of their efforts to further enhance the partnership between Belgium and South Africa.