Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Princess Elisabeth and Princess Eléonore were reunited on December 18, 2024, at the Royal Palace in Brussels to attend the Belgian Royal Christmas Concert, a tradition cherished by the family. Elisabeth returned from Harvard University for the holidays, bringing visible joy to her sister Eléonore, who is the only sibling still living at home. Their warm bond and stunning attire by Natan and Ralph Lauren made them the event’s highlight, showing how much the royal family cares about celebrating traditions and togetherness.
It was the occasion that won hearts again into their love for Belgian royalty this time, their long-time annual holiday tradition of the Christmas concert, now held on December 18 at the Royal Palace of Brussels. In attendance were the royal family with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde and their daughters, Crown Princess Elisabeth and Princess Eléonore, brightening up an evening replete with undeniable charm and palpable sibling bonding.
Crown Princess Elisabeth has come home for the holidays from Boston, where she’s currently studying at Harvard University. Her return had come as much-anticipated by most people, and her presence surely caused visible joy to the sight of her younger sister, Princess Eléonore, whom she hadn’t seen for months. The older princess was seen warmly taking the arm of her younger sibling as they engaged in an animated conversation exchange that underscored their close relationship.
For 16-year-old Princess Eléonore, Elisabeth’s return was like a warm caress, for she is one of only two siblings and lives full-time at the royal chateau in Laeken. Prince Emmanuel spends his years studying abroad, where he doesn’t wish to say how to concentrate his efforts on languages and sports. Gabriel is currently getting military training in Brittany for an Erasmus exchange programme, hence both princes are absent from today’s event.
The evening also turned heads for its fashion statements. Crown Princess Elisabeth dazzled in a deep red velvet dress with a draped design by the renowned Belgian fashion house Natan, a favourite of Queen Mathilde, who wore a similarly elegant ensemble by the same designer. Princess Eléonore, meanwhile, chose a modern gold dress by Ralph Lauren, perfectly complementing her youthful features and golden hair.
This annual concert is far more than a musical concert; it is proof of the eternal traditions of the Belgian monarchy and the celebration of family bonds. For Elisabeth and Eléonore, it was an opportunity to reconnect, reaffirm sisterly closeness, and create a stunning impression.
The Belgian royals have also been very active in other momentous events this year, too. In August 2024, they joined the Summer Olympics in Paris to cheer on Belgian athletes. The family cheered throughout different events, such as women’s bronze medal field hockey, and visited the Olympic Village while embracing the Olympic spirit, like their siblings.
Reflecting on their steadily increasing international profile, Crown Princess Elisabeth attended Norwegian Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s 18th birthday bash in June 2022. The royal soiree took place in Oslo with heirs attending from many of the royal houses across Europe, thereby marking the princess’s first attendance at a royal party outside of Belgium.
These events show family commitment to national and international traditions as well as some emerging roles of the younger generations in strengthening the royal legacy in Belgium.
