Satellites, space, the arts and the audiovisual sector were the focus of the programme for the king and queen of Belgium on the second day of their three-day state visit to the grand duchy.
King Philippe and Grand Duke Henri were accompanied by Luxembourg’s defence minister François Bausch and Belgian deputy prime minister Didier Reynders on a visit of the military centre in Diekirch before the royal entourage headed off to the SES headquarters in Betzdorf where they were met by prime minister Xavier Bettel in his capacity as minister for media and communication.
Bettel then hosted a luncheon for King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at Bourglinster château, after which the queen was accompanied by princess Stéphanie on a visit of the University of Luxembourg in Belval.
Later, the Belgian royal couple headed to the Abbaye Neumünster, where King Philippe, Didier Reynders and regional government heads from Belgium met with players in Luxembourg’s space industry while Queen Mathilde had a meet and greet with representatives of the audiovisual sectors, during which the room was temporarily evacuated following an alarm that was mistakenly sounded.
Grand Duke Henri then led the king and queen on a guided tour of a photo exhibition featuring highlights from the Stand Speak Rise Up! forum on violence against women as a weapon of war organised earlier this year by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.