Queen Mathilde of Belgium was joined by Princess Delphine today as the two attended Sunday mass held by Pope Francis in Belgium.
Mathilde, 51, looked regal in an all white ensemble while Delphine, 53, wore a typically bold pink suit, to the Holy Mass headed by the Pope at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
The notable appearance of the artist Princess Delphine – formerly known as Delphine Boël – marks an important progression in her journey to gain recognition for her royal heritage.
The royals were pictured look animated as they greeted each other at the service, their face lit up in smiles as they shared an affection hold.
Also joining for the service was Mathilde’s husband, King Philippe, along with their eldest son, Prince Gabriel.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium (pictured left) was joined by Princess Delphine (right) today as the two attending Sunday mass directed by Pope Francis
The notable appearance of the artist Princess Delphine, 53 – formerly known as Delphine Boël – marks an important progression in her journey to gain recognition for her royal heritage
Mathilde donned an all white ensemble, similar to the snow white suit she wore on Friday on the second day of the Pope’s weekend visit to Belgium.
Today’s frock featured a long sleeved blazer buttoned up to the neck, and a long pleated skirt worn below the knee.
Protecting her eyes from the early morning weekend sunshine, Mathilde sported a pair of stylish sunglasses.
She wore her blow dried blonde tresses in soft waves and donned a typically subtle makeup look, with natural glowing skin and pink lips.
Meanwhile, Delphine wore an outfit relatively tame compared to her usual adventurous ensembles.
On this occasion, the Belgium royal wore a smart pink suit with a love heart embossed on the back, and a plain high neck t-shirt underneath.
She accessorised with a chunky red bracelet, stylish sunglasses and a necklace which featured a gold love heart with the word ‘love’ written in the middle of it.
She appeared makeup free and wore her golden locks down, combed neatly out of her face.
Also in attendance was Queen Mathilde’s husband, King Philippe (right of the queen) of Belgium, who complemented his wife’s all white ensemble by wearing an all black suit and tie
Mathilde donned an all white ensemble, similar to the snow white suit she wore on Friday on the second day of the Pope’s weekend visit to Belgium
The Belgium royals were also joined by their eldest son, Prince Gabriel of Belgium, 21, who wore a blue overcoat along with a smart suit and gold patterned tie
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe looked smart and stylish as they arrived to attend Holy Mass directed by Pope Francis in Brussels
The royal has become known for her statement looks in the past.
Delphine has previously donned a number of bright and colourful ensembles, including one statement outfit she wore in July featuring a tailored suit coloured with bold shades of pink and red.
Also in attendance was Queen Mathilde’s husband, King Philippe of Belgium, who complemented his wife’s all white ensemble by wearing an all black suit and tie.
He finished the look with a thick black overcoat and neatly combed his hair back for the occasion.
The Belgium royals were also joined by their eldest son, Prince Gabriel of Belgium, 21, who wore a blue overcoat along with a smart suit and gold patterned tie.
Today marks the end of the visit from the Pope, 87, who has been staying in Belgium as part of a trip to ‘the heart of Europe’ to discuss the continent’s role in the world.
Meanwhile, Delphine (pictured in pink) wore an outfit relatively tame compared to her usual adventurous ensembles
Delphine has previously donned a number of bright and colourful ensembles, including one statement outfit she wore in July featuring a tailored suit coloured with bold shades of pink and red
Princess Delphine has had a rocky road to recognition as the love child of her country’s former monarch.
She is thought to be the result of an 18-year affair between former monarch, King Albert II, 89, who abdicated in 2013 in favour of his son King Philippe, 63, and Belgian aristocrat Sybille de Selys Longchamps, 82, that began in the 1960s.
Now, Delphine has attended royal engagements and says her relationship with her father has healed after years of bitterness.
She was legally named as King Albert II of Belgium’s daughter three years ago – but in 2023 she reportedly penned a legal letter to the government asking to be invited to official events like her half-siblings, Princess Astrid, 61, and Prince Laurent, 60.
Speaking after a court officially acknowledged her as the love child of Belgium’s former king in October 2020, Delphine said her battle to be recognised as a royal was not about money or status, but rather to be treated with the same ‘respect’ as her half-siblings.
For decades, the former King distanced himself from Princess Delphine and her mother to preserve his marriage.
Mathilde wore her blow dried blonde tresses in soft waves and donned a typically subtle makeup look, with natural glowing skin and pink lips
Protecting her eyes from the early morning weekend sunshine, Mathilde sported a pair of stylish sunglasses
Today marks the end of the visit from the Pope, 87, who has been staying in Belgium as part of a trip to ‘the heart of Europe’ to discuss the continent’s role in the world
During the pastoral visit to Brussels, Pope Francis has visited the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium to celebrate their 600th anniversary
After Princess Delphine was born in 1968, the King initially remained in frequent contact with his child and her mother. But when Delphine reached her 16th birthday, the King began to distance himself.
In 2013, the same year King Albert abdicated the throne due to health reasons and was succeeded by his son King Philippe, Princess Delphine launched a legal bid to be officially recognised as Albert’s daughter – which she won in October 2020.
Now Delphine has the right to bear the royal name de Saxe-Cobourg and is formally recognised as a member of the Belgian royal family as are her two children Princess Joséphine of Belgium, 19, and Prince Oscar of Belgium, 14, who she shares with partner James O’Hare.
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