Belgian State Visit to Democratic Republic of the Congo - Day 2
Today, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde spent their first full day in the Democratic Republic of the Congo following their arrival yesterday.
Their busy day started at the Veterans Memorial where King Philippe paid tribute to Congolese veterans and made Corporal Kunyuku, the last Congolese veteran who fought in WWII, Commander of the Order of the Crown.
Afterward, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visited the DRC National Museum which opened in 2019.
The Royal Couple then attended bilateral meetings with the President and the First Lady at the Palais de la Nation.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde also attended a ceremony in front of Le Palais du Peuple during which King Philippe addressed Belgium’s colonial past.
In his speech, King Philippe said: “Although many Belgians were sincerely invested, deeply loving the Congo and its people, the colonial regime as such was based on exploitation and domination. This regime was that of an unequal relationship, in itself unjustifiable, marked by paternalism, discrimination, and racism. It gave rise to exactions and humiliations. On the occasion of my first trip to Congo, here, in front of the Congolese people and those who still suffer from it today, I wish to reaffirm my deepest regrets for these wounds of the past.”
In the afternoon, the Royal Couple visited Silikin Village to learn more about the Belgium Development Agency’s KinEmploi project which aims to train and professionally integrate young people, at least 50% of whom are women.
In the evening, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended a gala dinner hosted by the Presidential Couple at the Cité de l’Union Africaine.
Queen Mathilde first wore her Natan dress with Gianvito Rossi pumps and a Fabienne Delvigne clutch. She paired the outfit with a Fabienne Delvigne hat (with thanks to ModeKoninginMathilde), her Christine Bekaert earrings, and her Rolex watch.
Queen Mathilde then changed into a Marie Méro dress (with thanks to Marie-Caroline) with Castaner wedges (with thanks to ModeKoninginMathilde) and her A Bag With A Story clutch. She also wore her Francesca Romana Diana earrings and her Rolex watch.
In the evening, Queen Mathilde wore a white blouse with a floral skirt by Esmeralda Ammoun (with thanks to ModeKoninginMathilde), her Olga Berg clutch, her Jimmy Choo pumps, and her Rolex watch.
