Some state banquets are remembered for the diamonds. Others for diplomacy. This one gave us both. A future queen hosting an emperor for the very first time. A curtsy that captured the attention of Japan. A forgotten imperial necklace returning after decades out of sight. A surprise tiara debut no one expected.
And quiet family moments that revealed just how deep the friendship between these two royal houses really is. From the airport welcome to the chandeliers of Laeken Castle, this was a visit filled with remarkable details. And today, we’re going to look at all of them. When the Japanese Imperial plane touched down at Melsbroek When the Japanese Imperial plane touched down at Melsbroek Military Airport under the bright midday sun on June 20th, it wasn’t King Philippe and Queen Mathilde waiting on the tarmac.
By tradition, state guests are often welcomed first by the heir to the throne. And this time, that role fell entirely to 24-year-old Crown Princess Elisabeth. It is actually quite special to watch her take on these duties. This was her very first time independently hosting state guests of this level. It’s a big milestone for the young princess, who will one day be Belgium’s first female reigning monarch, and you could tell she handled it so naturally.
For the occasion, Elisabeth chose a crisp, white knit cropped cardigan and a matching skater dress by Maje. It was a fresh, modern look, but what I really loved were the little family touches she added. She carried a light Christian Dior clutch and wore a pair of classic pearl drop earrings, both borrowed straight from her mother, Queen Mathilde’s closet.
There is actually a lovely, subtle detail here. In Japanese culture, pearls are highly regarded as the ultimate standard of elegance. So, wearing her mother’s pearls felt like a very thoughtful, quiet nod of respect to her guests. Stepping off the plane, Empress Masako seemed to be on the exact same wavelength.
She looked wonderful in a pistachio-green silk suit, accessorized with her own beautiful, large single-pearl earrings and a graceful gold and pearl brooch. Just looking at the photos, her smile is so genuine and relaxed. But the moment that really caught everyone’s eye happened right on the red carpet. As the Emperor and Empress approached, Princess Elisabeth gave a very deep, perfectly executed traditional curtsy.
It was just a lovely contrast to see — a young, modern European princess showing such care for traditional etiquette. In Japanese society, where hierarchy and protocol mean everything, a gesture like this from a future queen is immediately seen as a sign of deep respect. I have to admit, seeing how smoothly she did this, and the warm, almost fatherly way Emperor Naruhito smiled back at her, instantly set a trusting, friendly tone for the entire visit.
But beyond the formal protocol, there was also a very touching, personal exchange captured on both photo and video that many people immediately noticed. While greeting the Princess, Empress Masako held her hand at a certain height, gesturing to the size of a small child. She seemed to be reminiscing about how tiny she remembers Elisabeth being from their past family meetings, and marveling at how she has grown into such a wonderful young woman today.
It is such a sweet, motherly detail, especially considering that Elisabeth and Masako’s own daughter, Princess Aiko, are exactly the same age. To truly understand that warm, almost fatherly look Emperor Naruhito gave Princess Elisabeth on the tarmac, we actually need to turn the pages of history back a little bit.
The official reason for this week’s state visit is to celebrate 160 years of diplomatic relations, which began all the way back in 1866 with a Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation. But of course, treaties are just words on paper. The true, lasting friendship between these two nations was built through decades of face-to-face meetings and quiet moments shared behind palace doors.
It is fascinating to see how the royal visits of the last century carefully set the stage for the glittering displays we still witness today. I had such a wonderful time looking through the archives while preparing this story, and the visual history of these two families meeting is simply beautiful. Back in 1964, the Japanese Imperial Family hosted a magnificent state banquet in Tokyo for King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola.
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For that evening, Fabiola looked breathtaking wearing her famous Spanish Wedding Gift Tiara. Then, during the return visit in 1971, it was Fabiola’s turn to welcome Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako to Belgium, with Empress Nagako attending the banquet in the historic Meiji Scroll Tiara. As the decades passed, the torch was handed down, but the level of respect never wavered.
We saw Queen Paola traveling to Japan in 1996 wearing the monumental Nine Provinces Tiara. Twenty years later, in 2016, Queen Mathilde arrived at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo wearing the delicate Wolfers Necklace Tiara. Every single generation of Belgian queens has brought their absolute finest diamonds to meet the Japanese court.
And this brings us back to the present day. King Philippe and Emperor Naruhito are not just fellow monarchs; they have actually been friends since their days as young university students. Their connection is a very personal continuation of this long chain of mutual respect. Knowing this deep, multi-generational history makes you realize that this visit is so much more than just a formal diplomatic exercise—it is a genuine reunion of old friends.
After that beautiful welcome at the airport, the Belgian royals thoughtfully gave their guests a few days to simply rest and recharge. Instead of diving straight into a grueling diplomatic schedule, the two families spent a quiet, private weekend together at the Château de Ciergnon, the Belgian royal family’s picturesque country retreat in the Ardennes.
It was the perfect, peaceful prelude to the official state visit. This short getaway gave Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako a much-needed chance to catch their breath and enjoy the company of old friends before the real grandeur—and the historic tiara debuts—finally began. By the morning of June 23rd, the quiet country retreat was officially over.
The royal and imperial families arrived at the Royal Palace in Brussels, and the diplomatic machine finally kicked into high gear with a grand official welcome ceremony. You could instantly feel the shift in the atmosphere—the breezy weekend dresses were tucked away, the red carpets were rolled out, and the formal parade of diplomacy began.
But since we are here to talk about royal style and jewels, we have to look closely at what the ladies chose for this daytime appearance. Queen Mathilde stepped out looking absolutely radiant in a coral-rose pink dress by Dior. The fabric had a beautiful, soft movement to it, and she paired it with a perfectly matched hat and an elegant updo.
She chose a spectacular pair of diamond pendant earrings from her personal collection. These are gorgeous mid-century fringe earrings featuring a diamond ribbon twist, and here is a fun little detail to keep in mind: Mathilde actually liked this daytime jewelry choice so much that she didn’t even take these earrings off when she changed for the state banquet later that night! Standing next to her, Empress Masako was a vision in a soft lilac suit.
Seeing the two ladies standing together in rose pink and lilac was an absolute visual delight. Masako accessorized her look with her signature, flawless pieces: a classic single-strand pearl necklace and large pearl button earrings. But what really caught the attention of royal watchers were the fascinating details of her outfit.
The suit featured a lovely ruffled flounce collar, slightly darker cuffs, and a pleated front on the skirt that gave it a wider, softer A-line shape. She also wore a very stylish hat adorned with a bow, which is quite a different shape from the hats we usually see her wear back home. In Japan, we are so accustomed to seeing her in very strict, straight-line domestic silhouettes.
Seeing her step out in these softer, more playful details and colors was incredibly refreshing. Following the grand welcome, the King and Queen accompanied the Emperor and Empress on a visit to the Brussels City Hall, while Emperor Naruhito later held meetings at the Parliament. It was a flawless diplomatic morning.
But let’s be honest with each other—as beautiful as these daytime ceremonies are, we are all really just waiting for the sun to set. Because tonight, the vault doors swing open, and the true historic diamonds finally make their appearance. When the doors of the Royal Castle of Laeken finally opened for the state banquet, it became instantly clear that the Belgians had thought of every single detail to honor their guests.
The evening was filled with beautiful, subtle diplomatic gestures. King Philippe actually opened his welcoming speech in Japanese. And then, a choir performed the Japanese national anthem, “Kimigayo,” complete with the lyrics. If you read the reactions from the Japanese public, they were incredibly moved by this level of care and respect.
But the language of respect wasn’t just spoken or sung—it was woven directly into what the royal women were wearing. Queen Mathilde looked striking in a custom Armani Privé gown featuring a beautiful pink and green ombre effect. The bodice was decorated with prominent leafy floral appliqués, and Japanese royal watchers immediately noticed something wonderful.
To them, the shape and placement of these appliqués perfectly resembled traditional Japanese “uchiwa” fans. I just love this detail. It shows such thoughtful, quiet diplomacy without saying a word. To match the grandeur of the evening, Mathilde wore the sash and star of the Japanese Order of the Precious Crown.
And as we noticed earlier, she actually kept on those gorgeous mid-century diamond fringe earrings from the morning welcome, which paired beautifully with the true centerpiece of her look. Resting magnificently in her hair was the absolute grandest diadem in the Belgian royal collection: the Nine Provinces Tiara.
This piece is essentially a century of Belgian history rendered in diamonds. It was originally created in 1926 by the Antwerp jeweler Van Bever as a wedding gift from the Belgian people to Princess Astrid of Sweden. The original design was a sleek Art Deco meander bandeau, topped with eleven massive, round diamonds.
Those impressive stones held a very specific meaning—they represented the nine Belgian provinces, the colony of Congo, and the Belgian Royal House. A few years later, in 1934, Astrid had a series of interlocking diamond arches added to the top, giving the piece the solid, majestic shape we see today. What I find most fascinating about this tiara is its unique status within the family.
Ever since Queen Fabiola received it in 1960, it has been worn exclusively by the Queens of Belgium. It is passed down directly from consort to consort, rather than being held privately. Seeing Queen Mathilde wear it in its full, towering configuration is always a breathtaking reminder of her role and the heritage she carries.
While Queen Mathilde presented a flawless, familiar piece of Belgian history, Empress Masako was quietly causing an absolute sensation among jewelry lovers. She stepped into the room wearing an imperial treasure that had been hidden from the public eye for decades… If you remember our video from just last week about the state visit to the Netherlands, you’ll know that Empress Masako completely surprised us by stepping out in a vibrant royal blue gown.
While she didn’t go quite as bold here in Belgium, she still gave us a beautiful, subtle departure from the rigid, plain white silk gowns she typically wears for formal events back in Japan. She arrived at the banquet wearing a lovely ivory gown, which is her traditional color, but what made it special was the beautiful blush pink lace overlay.
This delicate touch of color and the romantic texture of the lace gave her look such a soft, elegant feel. Draped gracefully across her dress was the amaranth sash of the Order of Leopold, Belgium’s highest honor. Resting gracefully in her hair was a piece we are now getting quite familiar with: Princess Chichibu’s Diamond Honeysuckle Tiara.
Crafted by Mikimoto around 1928, this delicate diamond diadem was originally created for the British-born Setsuko Matsudaira when she married Emperor Hirohito’s brother. But here is where Masako delivered a truly massive surprise for all of us jewelry lovers. When she wore this tiara in Amsterdam last week, I caught myself wondering if the magnificent mirrored necklace from the original parure still existed, or if it had been quietly dismantled over the years.
I know I wasn’t alone in those thoughts! Well, tonight, Masako completely surprised us and dispelled any doubts by stepping out in the necklace in all its glory. She stepped into the Laeken Palace wearing that exact, massive mirrored diamond necklace. This was an astonishing royal jewelry moment! You see, when the previous Empress, Michiko, took this tiara out of the vaults in the late 1990s and 2000s to use as a lighter alternative to the main imperial diadems, she never once wore the matching necklace.
In fact, this breathtaking piece of diamond history had not been seen in public since Princess Chichibu’s passing in 1995. To see it finally brought back into the light after three decades was incredibly thrilling. At first glance, such a massive, intricate design might seem a bit overwhelming, but on Masako, it sat so naturally and looked absolutely effortless.
She completed this dazzling look with a pair of diamond earrings that also previously belonged to Princess Chichibu. I believe this might actually be the very first time we are seeing Masako wear them! She also added a substantial diamond bracelet, which likely comes from Chichibu’s collection as well, although it is a bit difficult to identify it definitively from the available photographs.
Seeing Empress Masako glowing with such a genuine, warm smile, confidently wearing a nearly forgotten parure in its full glory, was undoubtedly one of the absolute highlights of this entire visit. But while the Empress gave us a masterclass in reviving imperial history, the younger generation of the Belgian royal family was preparing a few major surprises of their own…
This state banquet actually marked a wonderful milestone for the family. For the very first time, all four children of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended a state dinner together. The young princes, Gabriel and Emmanuel, looked incredibly dashing making their white-tie debut. But, naturally, it was the princesses who completely stole the spotlight.
Crown Princess Elisabeth, who is now 24, looked exceptionally poised in a solid navy evening gown. It was a very smart sartorial choice—the dark, unembellished fabric provided the perfect, striking canvas for her jewelry and her newly acquired Japanese Order of the Chrysanthemum sash, which she neatly secured with a large diamond brooch.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find any photos of the princess from the back so we could get a better look at the brooch! But the diadem resting in her hair is what carried a deeply emotional resonance. Elisabeth chose the Brabant Laurel Wreath Tiara. Crafted by the English firm Hennel & Sons in 1912, this antique diamond wreath was originally presented to Mathilde in 1999 as a wedding gift from the Association of the Belgian Nobility.
For over two decades, Queen Mathilde was the only person to ever wear it. Seeing the Queen finally open her jewelry box and loan her very own wedding tiara to her eldest daughter for such a significant event felt like a beautiful, quiet passing of the torch. Elisabeth complemented the diadem flawlessly with her mother’s diamond fringe earrings.
The exact origin of these shimmering pieces is actually unknown, though they appear to be vintage designs from the 1950s or 60s. It is highly likely that Queen Mathilde purchased them herself at an auction, as she has a wonderful habit of quietly adding beautiful antique and vintage jewels to her collection this way.
Looking at her overall appearance, you can really see how much Elisabeth is blossoming. She looks more and more confident wearing tiaras with every gala she attends. It is just incredibly fascinating to watch her come into her own and gracefully grow into her role as the future monarch right before our eyes.
But I must confess, as soon as the photos were released, almost every royal watcher’s eyes darted straight to the King and Queen’s youngest daughter, 18-year-old Princess Eléonore. She looked so elegant in a blush pink gown with delicate cape detailing by the designer Safiyaa. However, the real excitement was sparkling right above her smile.
This was her highly anticipated, official tiara debut! Up until the moment the doors opened, we were all guessing which piece from the royal vaults she might be given. Would she wear the delicate Wolfers necklace-tiara? But King Philippe and Queen Mathilde went a completely different, and entirely unexpected, route.
Princess Eléonore stepped out wearing an antique diamond tiara that was entirely new to the Belgian court. It is a lovely Belle Époque piece created by the Brussels jeweler Coosemans. I am always so amazed and full of admiration for how incredibly fast royal experts and observers manage to identify a completely new tiara the moment it appears! In this case, we have to thank the keen-eyed royal watcher Benjamin Vaesen, who quickly spotted that this exact diadem was quietly sold at an auction house back in 2019 for 26,000 euros.
That means this tiara has been sitting in the royal vaults for seven whole years. It really makes me wonder about its journey. Did King Philippe and Queen Mathilde buy it all those years ago specifically planning to gift it to Eléonore for her 18th birthday this past April? Or was it simply bought to bolster the family’s collection, and they only recently decided it would make the perfect “starter” tiara for their youngest daughter? It is honestly the perfect “starter” tiara for a young princess.
It features an elegant, feminine scroll design with a central clover motif—which is actually a small, detachable brooch. But more importantly, the solitaire diamonds are substantial enough that the piece won’t feel too small or juvenile as she grows older and attends more events. But looking at those prominent central diamonds, I can’t help but think about its future potential.
It would be absolutely wonderful if they made it slightly convertible, allowing those center stones to be swapped out for colored gems. By the way, have you ever noticed just how unusually “diamond-heavy” the Belgian royal jewelry collection is? They have such exquisite designs, but it would certainly be nice if they added a bit more color to their arsenal with some rubies or sapphires, wouldn’t it? Princess Eléonore paired her new tiara beautifully with a simple diamond bracelet and classic diamond earrings.
Watching the two sisters stand together—one wearing the established heritage of her mother, and the other debuting a brand-new piece of royal history—was a true joy for anyone who loves royal jewels. While admiring the beautiful portraits of the young generation from that evening, many eagle-eyed royal watchers immediately noticed a rather curious detail.
Despite being dressed flawlessly in white-tie and evening gowns, the King’s three younger children—Gabriel, Emmanuel, and Eléonore—weren’t wearing any sashes or medals. They had neither Belgian nor Japanese orders. Meanwhile, Crown Princess Elisabeth was proudly wearing the deep red and blue sash of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, which is Japan’s absolute highest decoration.
This sparked quite a lively debate. Why were the younger siblings completely left out of the honors exchange, especially when we just saw the young Dutch Princess Ariane receive a Japanese order during last week’s state visit? The answer actually lies in the very strict, pragmatic approach of the Belgian monarchy.
Unlike in some other European royal houses, where princes and princesses are automatically gifted a high national order the moment they turn 18, the Belgian system doesn’t work that way. Because the younger siblings are not officially expected to become full-time “working” royals in the future, they don’t simply receive these honors by birthright or age.
Since they do not yet hold any domestic Belgian orders, the Japanese delegation naturally did not present them with foreign ones either. But what about Elisabeth? Her situation is entirely different. As the direct heir and a future reigning Queen, her diplomatic status is effectively elevated. That is exactly why Japan bestowed upon her the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.
It is a fascinating nuance of royal protocol: this specific order is usually reserved strictly for male royals, monarchs, or heirs to the throne. Even Queen Mathilde, as a consort, wore the Order of the Precious Crown, which is the traditional Japanese order for female royals. So, seeing Elisabeth proudly wearing the Chrysanthemum sash was a powerful, quiet acknowledgement of her destiny as a future head of state.
To complete this sparkling family gathering, we have to look at the King’s sister, Princess Astrid, who attended the banquet with her husband, Prince Lorenz. While the Queen and the younger princesses wore Belgian heirlooms or new acquisitions, Astrid brought an entirely different, incredibly rich piece of royal history to the room.
Resting in her hair was the magnificent Savoy-Aosta Diamond Tiara. If you look closely at its design, it is an antique foliate diadem featuring a very thick, intricate wall of diamonds. This piece doesn’t actually come from the Belgian vaults; it is a legacy from her husband’s Italian royal ancestors. The tiara was originally given to Princess Anne of Orléans when she married the Duke of Aosta all the way back in 1927.
After surviving the turbulent years of World War II, it eventually passed down to Astrid through her mother-in-law, and she has been the primary wearer of these brilliant Italian diamonds since 1993. For the state banquet, she elegantly draped the purple sash of the Order of Leopold across her gown. To complement the imposing weight of the historic tiara, Astrid chose elegant diamond drop earrings featuring unusual pear-shaped stones.
Their distinctive cut creates a remarkably transparent effect from certain angles, making the diamonds appear almost crystal-clear before catching the light and revealing their brilliance. But if you look closely at her hands, you will spot another fascinating piece on her wrist. She wore a diamond bracelet.
This appears to be the exact same statement bracelet she wore during the Belgian economic mission to Sydney, Australia, back in October 2023. It has a very striking, unusual design with quite a lot of diamond volume, but its exact origins remain a bit of a royal mystery, as we still don’t have highly detailed close-up photographs of it to study properly.
Still, seeing this mysterious, brilliant bracelet shining alongside the historic Italian diamonds felt like the absolute perfect, concluding chord to this incredible jewelry symphony. What an absolutely unforgettable evening. From that flawless, deep curtsy on the sunlit tarmac to the dazzling return of a forgotten mirrored necklace beneath the chandeliers of Laeken Castle, this visit proved just how incredibly beautiful the language of diplomacy can be.
The Belgian royal family not only offered the highest honors to their Japanese guests, but they also showed us the quiet dignity of their new generation stepping so gracefully into their future roles. But beyond all the historic diamonds, my absolute favorite part of this entire visit was simply seeing Empress Masako so relaxed.
She had such a wide, genuine smile on her face, and you could truly feel how comfortable and joyful she was to be surrounded by old friends. She was absolutely glowing in Amsterdam last week, and it was so heartwarming to see her continue to shine just as brightly here in Belgium. It really feels like she blossoms in a very special way during these overseas tours.
You can see how her past experience as a brilliant diplomat naturally comes back to the surface, and it is just such a joy to witness her thriving like this. Now, I would love to hear from you. Which jewelry moment captivated you the most tonight? Was it the breathtaking return of Masako’s mirrored necklace, Princess Eléonore’s historic tiara debut, or the elegant sight of Princess Elisabeth wearing her mother’s wedding tiara? Please share your thoughts down in the comments! And if you enjoyed stepping behind the closed palace doors with me today,
Disclaimer : This content may be created by AI for entertainment purposes. Any resemblance to real persons, events, or places is coincidental.
