The Abdication and Inauguration of King Albert II and King Philippe of Belgium

Yesterday, during the Belgian National Day, the Duke and Duchess of Brabant became the King and Queen of Belgium. After the Abdication Ceremony and the Inauguration ceremony, the Royal Family took part in the Belgian National Day Ceremony. At the end of the day, there was a firework show to celebrate the new King and Queen.

Abdication Ceremony

Soon-to-be Queen Mathilde arrived with soon-to-be King Philippe. Mathilde appeared in a white custom made Natan dress for the Abdication ceremony.

Queen Paola arrived at the Royal Palace in Brussels wearing a green Natan dress and matching coat. She arrived with her husband, King Albert II.

Princess Claire wore a printed white dress by Natan and an orange-yellow jacket. She arrived with her husband, Prince Laurent.

Other members of the Royal Family that was present at the Abdication ceremony was Princess Astrid and her husband, Prince Lorenz. As well as Queen Fabiola.

The Swearing Ceremony of King Philippe

Next, the Royal Family took part in the Swearing Ceremony for King Philippe. King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, King Albert, Queen Paola, Prince Laurent, Princess Claire, Princess Astrid, Prince Lorenz, Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel Prince Emmanuel, Princess Elenore, and Queen Fabiola. 

King Albert II of Belgium is Abdicating

King Albert II plans on stepping down from the Belgian throne on July 21 Belgium's national day. The whole Belgian family is going to be at the coronation to see Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde become King and Queen. 

40th Birthday Photos of the Royal Women

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark - February 5, 2012

Mary celebrated her 40th birthday last year on February 5. She got pictures of herself, and just herself. Well, her dog did make an appearance. I must say that the pink blouse looks great on her, and her office looks awesome... love the chairs.

Princess Mathilde, Duchess of Brabant - January 20, 2013

 Mathilde celebrated her birthday not that long ago. She chose to pose with her husband, Philippe, by herself and with her children, Elisabeth, Gabriel, Emmanuel, and Elénore. I love the earrings, and the clothing isn't all that bad.

Letizia, Princess of Asturias - September 15, 2012

 Letizia celebrated her birthday last year in September - the 15th to be exact. She took pictures with her husband, Felipe. As well with her two daughters, Leonor, and Sofia.

Princess Maxima of the Netherlands - May 17, 2011

 Princess Maxima celebrated her 40th birthday in May of 2011. Maxima was praised for her tiara shot (above, left) and her dress. These pictures capture the pure essence of Maxima's beauty.

Two Royal Birthdays!

Today is the 48th birthday of Sophie, Countess of Wessex (Great Britain) and the 40th birthday of Princess Mathilde, Duchess of Brabant (Belgium).

Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones was born on January 20, 1965 to Christopher and Mary (nee O'Sullivan). Sophie has an older brother, David. Sophie met her husband, the Earl of Wessex in 1993, at a tennis charity event, when his tennis partner didn't come. Their relationship started soon afterwards. Their engagement was offically announced on January 6, 1999. They married on June 19, 1999 at  St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
 In December of 2001, Sophie was taken to the hospital after saying she didn't feel well. It was discovered she was suffereing from a ptentially life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. Two years later, she had a daughter, Lady Louise Windsor (b. November 8, 2003). Louise was a premature baby, resulting from a sudden placental abruption, Sophie had to undergo an emergancy caesarean section. Sophie had another child, James, Viscount Severn (b. December 17, 2007) and had to have another caesarean section.
Now, Sophie fufills a bunch of engagements, making her one of my favourite royals of 2012. She's very close to her mother-in-law (Queen Elizabeth). It's said to be the Queen's first permanently warm relationship with one of her children-in-laws.

Mathilde was born on January 20, 1973 to Count Patrick d'Udekem d'Acoz and Countess Anna Maria Komorowska. Mathilde married her husband, Prince Philippe on December 4, 1999. They have 4 children together, Princess Elisabeth (the future queen of Belgium (b. October 25, 2001)), Prince Gabriel (b. August 20, 2003), Prince Emmanuel (b. October 4, 2005), and Princess Eleonore (b. April 16, 2008).

Photos: Google (Key word: "Countess of Wessex")
             MyRoyals
Information: Wikipedia

2012 Outfit Reviews: Princess Mathilde, Duchess of Brabant

Best of 2012

 This dress and the orange dress below were hard to chose. But, purple (I say) looks good on everyone. The design of the dress looks nice and the shade of purple looks awesome.

Runners-Up

Like I said above, about the dresses. The next dresses were in Vietnam Mathilde and Philippe. I love all the styles of the dresses, it's always nice to see something different.

Worst of 2012

This is a no brainer. I don't like stripes, especially black and white stripes. The white jacket softens the looks, same with the purse, it still looks hideous! And the shoes... oh the shoes... they're matching the pants and shirt...

Best of 2012 - Accessories: Princess Mathilde

Jewelry

Earrings

 Out of all the earrings that every Royal has worn, Mathilde has the best earrings. Hands down! I love the orange ones and the one next to it, the design is simple, the jewel/object looks great.

Rings

 I love this ring, I don't know why, it just looks really nice. I say that Mathilde should wear more rings, and have more sapphires in her jewelry collection.

Hats

I love this hat on Mathilde, it's a simple hat, but it looks great. I would wear that, hopefully, Mathilde will wear it again.

Olympic Style! Part 4, Day 3

I am one day off, whatever, you get your Olympic Stuff, you’re happy!

Air Rifling

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway watched the Men’s 10m Air Rifle Final.

Swimming

Sisters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie of York were watching Swimming.

Gymnastics

Princes William and Harry watched the Great Britain Men’s Artistic Team get bronze in the Team Final. I was watching too, intense stuff! They went from a bronze to a silver, then back down to a bronze.

Handball

Princes Daniel and Carl Philip of Sweden watched the match between Sweden and Norway. Crown Princess Victoria was suppose to come to the Olympics. She chose to stay in Sweden with Princess Estelle though. There’s no illness, or anything, she just thought it would be better.

What the heck it Carl Philip suppose to be doing?

Soccer

Princess Maxima, Prince Willem-Alexandra and their daughters watched the soccer match between the Netherlands and India.

Receptions

The Luxembourgish Royal Family attended a reception.

Tennis

Prince Philippe, Princess Mathilde, and their children watched a tennis match.

Meetings

Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik met with members of Team Australia.

Unknown

The King Constantine, Queen Anne-Marie, Prince Nikolas and his wife, Princess Tatiana were at some Olympic Event.