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Poor in jewels….
No tiara for Astrid….

No Italian Born queen Paola.

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Indeed, it is quite disappointing that Princess Astrid did not wear any tiara, although she owns at least one and could borrow other ones from her mother. Even more since she is not only a royal princess of Belgium, but also the wife of the claimant to the Italian Ducal throne of Este-Modena...

As for Queen Paola, although King Albert II and she have maintained a constant low-key profile since the abdication, she could have made an appearance at this particular State banquet, considering her Italian origins. But maybe King Albert's and/or her own heath condition are now quite poor to be able to bear long ceremonial dinners in the evening?

Queen Mathilde looked regal and lovely with her Laurel diamond tiara and her modern diamond tassel earrings (though the classical style of the tiara and the Art Déco style of the earrings do not match successfully, IMHO):





Earlier in the day, during the welcoming ceremony in front of Brussels Royal Palace, Queen Mathilde gave us a good view of the sapphire and diamond earrings that Crown Princess Elisabeth had worn at Grand-Duke Guillaume V of Luxembourg's inauguration a few weeks ago:

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Thank you!

I’m still fan of the Laurel leaf Tiara!

The Sapphire earrings are gorgeous! I think the drops could be replaced by other drops!

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I don 't understand the non smiling face of Princess Astrid , the day after Prince Laurent when they are pictured with the Royal Couple.
Astrid should have worn her Leopold Sash as her husband and a tiara. (perhaps to late for her safe)
I agree with Arthur , I don't like her modern earrings with tiaras. Queen Mathilde greatest earrings are Queen Fabiola's.

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It's a bit of a shame that Belgium in spite of their important position and many international institutes does not have a bit more glamour. They have the palaces for it. The Royal Palace in the centre of town is never used for state banquets but would look much more impressive when the throneroom would be used.

As for mixing modern jewels with older pieces. Im afraid Mathilde does not have much choice. She did not inherit a crown- or familycollection and has to build up what she can without that being seen as wasteful.
It's a shame Fabiola and Paola did not leave all their grand jewels in a collection and Philippe missed the opportunity to add pieces when some of the Belgian jewels of Queen Marie Jose of Italy were auctioned.

You'd almost wish Elisabeth and Constantine of Greece would end up together. With the additions of the Greek collection the Belgian Royal house would get some much needed grand sets.