The young royal debuted the diamond and emerald pair of drop earrings for Belgium’s National Day celebrations
Derived from the coat of arms of the Duchy of Brabant, the colors of Belgium’s flag may be black, yellow, and red but for its National Day its Princess’ went green. The Royal Family stepped out for the Te Deum service in Brussels yesterday. Princess Elisabeth and Princess Eleonore marked the occasion wearing coordinating looks, whilst Prince Gabriël joined the ranks of the civil parade, in his own shade of military green.
Princess Eléonore of Belgium, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde youngest child, kept it simple in a Diane von Furstenberg’s Charlotte dress. But it wasn’t the signature green colour that stole the show, it was, as it quite often is for European royals, all about the jewellery.
Fourth in line for the throne, the Belgian Princess’ ruched dress was finished with a lettuce hemline and drawstring sleeves, adding a point of interest to the understated silhouette. Keeping it timeless, she finished the looks with nude kitten heels and, keeping it heredity, a pair of diamond emerald earrings borrowed from her ever elegant mother, Queen Mathilde.
Though the earrings were a debut for the 17-year-old Princess, the pendants, a gift from King Philippe to his wife on her 40th birthday, have been worn for many royal occasions over the last decade. In the classic drop shape, the pair were first seen on the Duchess of Brabant in a portrait taken to commemorate her 40th birthday in January 2013.
Mathilde became Queen of the Belgians a few months later, when her father-in-law abdicated in favour of her husband. As monarch, she has worn the sentimental jewels for a series of important occasions, including for an official visit from King Felipe IV and Queen Letizia of Spain. A dazzling assortment of diamonds and emeralds, the pair were most recently photographed when Mathilde wore them in 2023, attending the annual Founder’s Day Parade at Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.
But it wasn’t just the Queen’s youngest daughter who raided her jewellery collection, Princess Elisabeth also borrowed from her mother. For the ceremony, the future queen opted for a lime dress from Masion Natan, featuring layered chiffon and a reverse shawl detail. Mathilde wore a red floral gown from the same designer. Elisabeth complemented the couture dress with gold accessories from Carolina Herrera, including a set of statement earrings previously worn by the Queen.
The sisters joined their two brothers and parents at the Saints Michael and Gudula Cathedral in Brussels for the celebrations. Walking arm and arm, the siblings presented a united front, much to the pride of their mother.
Prince Gabriël, the dashing son of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde marched with his fellow students of the Royal Military School in the military and civil parade, where the 21-year-old is currently enrolled. It is understood the prince is studying social and military sciences. As the future Queen of Belgium, Princess Elisabeth completed a one-year course at the academy. The siblings both took part in a training course last summer. For the National day, he joined the ranks to march in front of the Royal Palace in Brussels and the Queen was seen observing with pride.
Belgian’s National Day is commemorated annually on 21 July. As one of the country’s ten public holidays, it marks the anniversary of the investiture of Leopold I as the first King of the Belgians in 1831.
