Brussels (Brussels Morning) – King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited the Berlaymont building, meeting with EU leaders. The King addressed the College of Commissioners, discussing EU projects and upcoming elections. Royal travel expenses rose in 2023.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium were accommodated at the iconic Berlaymont building on Wednesday by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her crew of Commissioners.
How did the royal visit align with Belgium’s EU Presidency?
This event pursues the King’s speech to the European Parliament Plenary in Brussels in April, as well as a reception for the 27 Member States a few days later at the Royal Palace alongside a European conference as part of Belgium’s ongoing EU Presidency.
In doing so, the Head of State was satisfied with the three major legislative institutions of the European Union – the Parliament, Council and Commission. This is analysed as a display of the integral role of European institutions in the capital city, a diplomatic source stated.
What was discussed during the private meeting with von der Leyen?
Following an invitation, the royal pair had a private discussion with von der Leyen. The King then discoursed the College of Commissioners in the iconic Jean Monnet room, the location for the weekly sessions on the 13th floor of the Berlaymont on Rue de la Loi. The conversation centred on critical projects and the future of the EU, in the light of the upcoming June elections.
How did the royal travel expenses change in 2023?
Moreover, Last year, flights, military personnel, fuel and all other expenses totalled €1,457,201 – considerably more than in 2022, when the costs reached €1,225,000, Het Laatste Nieuws reports. The King carried 16 trips in 2022, compared to 15 last year.
The fact that the expenses were still higher in 2023 was mainly due to two costly trips: one to French Guiana, where the King attended the takeoff of the Ariane 5 rocket together with his son Gabriel and State Secretary Thomas Dermine (PS), and the other to South Africa. The fees for these trips were €416,042 and €406,428, respectively.
What were the notable expenses from the King’s trips in 2023?
The flights to and from Italy (twice) and Spain were noticeably more affordable: both around €19,000. He also went on official travels to Germany (€227,910), Jordan (€99,189), the UK (€65,270), Egypt (€57,177) and Greece (€32,715) last year.
Of the ten official travels in 2023, the King took a Defence aircraft only four times; for the remaining voyages, an aircraft was chartered. Details about the five personal trips, which are also paid for with the army’s budget, were not revealed– except for the total cost (€89,334).
Noticeably, the King is carrying fewer private trips every year: in 2018 he still made 12 trips outside of his authorised capacity, in 2019 he made 10, in 2022 eight, and in 2023 five.
