King Philippe of Belgium and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg looked cheerful as they celebrated their respective birthdays together.
The first cousins gathered to celebrate ahead of the Grand Duke’s state visit to Belgium, which officially began today. Philippe turned 64 yesterday, while Henri turns 69 today.
King Philip’s father, King Albert II, and Henry’s mother, Grand Duchess Josephine, were brother and sister.
Before today’s official engagements, Philippe and Henri met at Laeken Palace to commemorate the double holiday, complete with a birthday cake.
Both look equally stylish in the new images, which were shared on the royal family’s official Instagram page, with the first cousins smiling as they blew out the candles, before Henri enjoyed a raspberry of the sweet treat.
First cousins King Philippe of Belgium (right) and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg (left) appeared in high spirits as they celebrated their respective birthdays with a joint cake.
This year, Harry will spend a special day with his wife, Duchess Maria Theresa, as they visit Belgium, including a trip to the Belgian Parliament, alongside Philip and Queen Matilda.
Yesterday, the Belgian Royal Palace shared the publication with the following caption: ‘The state visit does not begin until tomorrow, but the King and the Grand Duke already have something to celebrate together.
‘Their respective birthdays, which fall one day apart (April 15 and 16)! Happy birthday, Your Majesty and His Royal Highness!
It comes amid a busy time for the Belgian royal family, with today marking the 16th birthday of Princess Eléonore of Belgium.
Eléonore is the youngest daughter of King Philip and Queen Matilda, who are also parents to Princess Elizabeth, 22, Prince Gabriel, 20, and Prince Emmanuel, 18.
Today’s event is the second state visit to Belgium by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess and the event serves multiple purposes.
“In addition to consolidating long-standing partnerships, the state visit also provides the opportunity to highlight new areas of cooperation and stimulate progress and innovation with the aim of ensuring sustainable growth that respects the environment,” the site reads. Luxembourg Government website.
The official welcome ceremony took place today at the Place des Palais, where Philippe and Mathilde welcomed the Duke and Duchess to Belgium.
Later that day, Henri and Philippe are expected to review the troops before delegations are introduced and gifts are exchanged at Laeken Palace.
Philippe celebrated his 64th birthday yesterday and Henri turned 69 today during a state visit to Belgium.
It comes after Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg revealed he already has an abdication date in mind, putting him in the fray of older European monarchs rumored to be considering stepping down from their duty to let their young heirs take the reins.
speaking to Freeas reported by point of viewThe royal, 69, joked that he knows the exact date he plans to pass the baton to his son Guillaume, 42, but “won’t tell” the press just yet.
‘All this is planned in family consultation. I think it’s very important to give young people a perspective,” she added.
‘Transmission and trust are the two essential elements in my relationship with my son Guillaume.’
The outlet, reporting on a conversation the Grand Duke had with the Place Royale show, also revealed that he said it is “obvious” that he “intends to retire at some point.”
“There are plans,” explained Henri, who has reigned in power since October 2000. “There will come a day when it will have to be done.”
Grand Duke Henri and Maria Theresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, begin their official state visit to Belgium today (pictured during the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla)
His comments follow a series of abdication rumors among European royalty, after Queen Margaret of Denmark made the shocking decision to renounce the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederick to take over as king on the 14th. from January.
At the time, royal biographer Phil Dampier told MailOnline he believes King Charles will be influenced by events in Denmark since New Year’s Eve, especially if it would protect the future of the British royal family.
He added that the Prince and Princess of Wales are very friendly with Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, and will have been in contact with them.
‘Our late queen would never abdicate because of what happened in 1936, when her uncle abdicated and her father took the throne. But times change,’ she explained.
‘William and Kate get on very well with Frederik and Mary and will be among the first to congratulate them. “They will be fascinated to see how they get along as King and Queen and it will also make them think about their future.”
However, King Harald of Norway has confirmed he has no plans to abdicate following speculation he could follow in the footsteps of his former Danish counterpart.
The 86-year-old monarch (King Charles III’s second cousin) insisted that the promise he made to the Norwegian Parliament when he acceded to the throne in 1991 “lasts a lifetime.”
King Harald told Faktisk.no: ‘I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath before the Storting and it is for life.
The Grand Duke and his wife Maria Theresa, 68, have five children, including Guillaume: Prince Félix, 39, Prince Louis, 37, Princess Alexandra, 33, and Prince Sébastien, 31.
Guillaume and his wife Stéphanie, 40, have two children: Charles, three years old, and François Henri Louis Marie Guillaume, who turned one last month.