Belgium’s royal couple stay grounded during their Canadian ‘thank you’ tour
Self-described space buff King Philippe of Belgium began a week-long 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.
Monday’s events included the planting of a sugar maple tree in the frozen ground of Rideau Hall, a visit to a sugar bush, the placing of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial and meetings on Parliament Hill bringing together delegations from Canada and Belgium.
A meeting planned with Heritage Minister Melanie Joly, to discuss cultural ties between the two countries, was cancelled, however, after Joly’s flight to Ottawa was abruptly grounded by computer system disruptions at Air Canada.
One of the main thrusts of the state visit is a “thank you” of sorts for Canada’s involvement in the liberation of Belgium during the First World War, the king said.