‘I LOVE SPACE,’ BELGIAN KING TELLS GOVERNOR GENERAL

Self- described space buff King Philippe of Belgium began a weeklong visit to Canada on Monday with his wife Queen Mathilde saying he wanted to view the country through the eyes of an astronaut. He was, of course, referring to his host, former space explorer-turned Gov. Gen. Julie Payette, who greeted the royal couple at Rideau Hall at the start of their whirlwind state visit. “I love space,” King Philippe said to the delight of Belgian flag-waving onlookers as he was formally welcomed to the nation’s capital. “So I’m very happy to see the country and the world through your eyes, the eyes of an astronaut,” he said to Payette. The king and his wife were scheduled to take part in more down-to-earth pursuits over the rest of the five full days of their tour — the first Belgian state visit to Canada in over 40 years.