Santiago, June 25, 2025 – The Europe Today: Under bright skies at La Moneda, Chile’s presidential palace, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium were warmly welcomed on Tuesday as they began their official State visit to Chile. A ceremonial fanfare and honor guard greeted the royals, while Chilean and Belgian national anthems resonated across the square, where a modest crowd – including children waving Belgian flags – cheered enthusiastically.
The day began with a solemn tribute to Bernardo O’Higgins, Chile’s revered liberator and first head of state. The King and Queen laid a wreath at his monument, honoring his legacy in Chile’s fight for independence from Spanish rule.
From there, the royal couple proceeded to La Moneda, a deeply symbolic site in Chilean history. Once bombed during General Augusto Pinochet’s 1973 coup, the palace’s reconstruction has come to represent Chile’s democratic recovery.
Following a review of the national troops, King Philippe held a private meeting with President Gabriel Boric. The meeting was followed by extended discussions involving members of the Belgian ministerial delegation, including Maxime Prévot, Vanessa Matz, Rudi Vervoort, Elisabeth Degryse, Adrien Dolimont, and Annick de Ridder.
While diplomatic talks were underway, Queen Mathilde immersed herself in cultural and humanitarian engagements. She toured the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, home to over 3,000 artifacts from civilizations that existed prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.
She also visited Coaniquem, a renowned non-profit that provides free care to children with severe burns. Founded in 1979, Coaniquem not only offers treatment but also conducts preventive campaigns and professional training in burn care. The Queen’s visit underscored Belgium’s longstanding partnership with Coaniquem, which has worked closely with the Antwerp-based Oscare organization since 2022.
The partnership, which includes the University of Antwerp, promotes collaborative research, training exchanges, and advanced treatment methods, marking a significant humanitarian bridge between Belgium and Chile.
Earlier, King Philippe met with Chileans who had taken refuge at the Belgian embassy during the Pinochet dictatorship, listening to stories of exile, resilience, and Belgium’s role in providing sanctuary.
The royal visit, marked by a blend of diplomacy, cultural respect, and humanitarian outreach, reflects deepening ties between Belgium and Chile, and a shared commitment to history, human dignity, and forward-looking cooperation.
