Crowned heads are actively preparing for Christmas. While Princess Charlene of Monaco came out of her silence to wish her subjects happy holidays and Queen Elizabeth II changed her habits exceptionally, the Belgian clan was for its part gathered on December 21 at the royal palace in Brussels.
Philippe of Belgium was surrounded by his family in the magnificent throne room, lavishly decorated between huge luminous trees, a giant crib and flower beds. The King of the Belgians, who succeeded his father Albert II after the latter’s abdication in 2013, was accompanied by his wife Queen Mathilde, very dazzling in a chic red evening dress. The couple were also supported by their children: Crown Princess Elisabeth (20, destined to succeed her father and become the very first Queen of the Belgians), Prince Gabriel (18), Prince Emmanuel (16) and , finally, Princess Éléonore (13 years old). All were very elegant for a special occasion: the rehearsal of the traditional Christmas concert given at the palace.
Indeed, before the televised broadcast of the concert scheduled for December 25, the MuCH Ensemble played without an audience due to the coronavirus pandemic which is starting again. On the big day, viewers will be able to hear the musicians playing tunes by Vivaldi, Mozart or Saint-Saëns. The ensemble will be accompanied by soloists from the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel. “For this Christmas concert, it will bring together Louise Foor (Soprano), Julie Nemer (Mezzo), Anne-Lise Polchlopek (Mezzo-soprano), Anna Agafia Egholm (violin), Amia Janicki (violin), Natanael Ferreira (viola)“, said RTBF.