Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Queen Mathilde attend state banquet

• READ MORE: First cousins King Philippe of the Belgium and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg who were born a day apart celebrate with a joint cake during state visit 

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and Queen Mathilde of Belgium pulled out all the stops as they attended a State Banquet in Brussels today.

Maria Teresa, 68, has joined her husband Grand Duke Henri for a state visit to Belgium  – and their first evening’s entertainment consisted of a lavish dinner at the Laken Castle.

The European royals looked dazzling in all their finery, consisting of historical jewellery, long dresses, sashes and even tiaras.

Looking effortlessly elegant, the Grand Duchess opted for a daring off-the-shoulder style black dress, adding a pale pink satin shawl.

She wore the Belgian Scroll Tiara with the Aquamarine Parure and the Order of Leopold – the highest order in Belgium – to pay tribute to the host country.

Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, followed by Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Philippe of Belgium arrive for a state banquet in Laeken

Meanwhile, Queen Mathilde, 51, commanded attention in a stunning sky blue gown embellished entirely with sequins.

The mother-of-four’s shimmering long sleeved dress boasted an elegant sweetheart neckline and full tulle skirt.

She also wore the Nine Provinces Tiara – dating back from 1926 – a diamond necklace, diamond earrings and the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau.

The Belgian royals certainly concluded day one of the three-day visit with elegance and grandeur, showing their Luxembourg counterparts the splendour of their royal residence at Laeken.

Earlier in the day, the Duchess was in high spirits as she and the Queen of Belgium huddled under an umbrella to chat during a ceremony at the Place des Palais.

Maria Teresa grinned as Mathilde held up the parasol over them, to shield away from the rainy weather.

The official welcome ceremony took place on the palaces’ square, where both national anthems played after a presentation from the troops.

The Belgian Queen was effortlessly elegant in a dusky pale pink ensemble, featuring an A-line dress that cinched at the waist with a belt.

The Grand Duchess opted for a daring off-the-shoulder style black dress, adding a pale pink satin shawl

Queen Mathilde, 51, wore a stunning sky blue gown embellished entirely with sequins

The European royals looked dazzling in their finery, consisting of historical jewellery, long dresses, sashes and even tiaras

Maria Teresa, 68, has joined her husband Grand Duke Henri for a state visit to Belgium – and their first evening’s entertainment consisted of a lavish banquet at the Laken Castle

The Belgian royals certainly concluded day one of the three-day visit with elegance and grandeur

The four glamorous royals were all smiles as they attended the lavish state banquet in Brussels this evening

King Philippe and his wife Queen Mathilde walked arm-in-arm as they made their way to the state banquet

The Belgium Queen teamed her dazzling tiara with a pair of drop diamond earrings and a matching necklace

Both Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg opted for a smattering of makeup to finish off their looks

The four royals, dressed in their finery, pose for a photograph ahead of the state banquet

She accessorised her look with a matching headpiece and handbag, teamed with pastel gloves.

Meanwhile, Maria Teresa opted for a deep navy frock and ornate overcoat.

The Grand Duchess also went for bedazzled earrings and a glamorous make-up look, styling her short blonde tresses in gentle waves.

Elsewhere the Grand Duke, 69, and King Philippe of Belgium , 64, sported smart suits as they walked and chatted alongside each other.

For the three-day visit to Belgium, the Grand Ducal couple are also joined by Luxembourg officials as well as Prime Minister Luc Frieden and the Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth.

This trip aims to highlight ‘new areas of cooperation’, as outlined by the Luxembourg Government.

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg teamed her stylish ensemble with metallic heels

Cheers! Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg pictured during a toast at the lavish meal

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa opted for a colourful diamond necklace to complete her outfit

The four European royals raise a glass at the state banquet at the Royal Castle in Laeken

First cousins King Philippe and Grand Duke Henri (pictured this evening) were born a day apart

The lavish state banquet for the Luxembourg royal couple was held at the Royal Castle in Laken-Laeken, Brussels

Henri (pictured left, at today’s occasion) has revealed that he already has an abdication date in mind

Henri (pictured at today’s occasion) has revealed that he already has an abdication date in mind

Queen Mathilde and Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, chat to one another during this evening’s glittering occasion

Candles were placed along the elegantly dressed tables as guests chatted to one another at this evening’s state banquet

Guests listen to the National Anthems in the Great Gallery before a state banquet at the Royal Castle in Brussels

‘This is the second State visit to Belgium by TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess,’ a statement on the site read.

‘Reflecting the excellent relations between Luxembourg and Belgium, who are close neighbours united by strong historical, political, socio-economic and cultural ties.’

It comes as Henri has revealed that he already has an abdication date in mind – placing him in the fray of older European monarchs rumoured to be considering stepping down from duty to let their young heirs take the reigns.

Speaking to La Libre, as reported by Point de Vue, the royal quipped that he knows the exact date he plans to pass the baton to his son Guillaume, 42 – but ‘won’t tell’ the press yet.

‘All this is planned in family consultation. I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective,’ he added.

‘Transmission and trust are the two essential elements in my relationship with my son Guillaume.’

The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg was in high spirits as she and the Queen of Belgium huddled under an umbrella to chat

The pair chatted as they found shelter from the rain under an umbrella together – as day one of the state visit kicked off

Elsewhere the Grand Duke, 69, and King Philippe of Belgium , 64, sported smart suits as they walked and chatted alongside each other

For the three-day trip, the Grand Ducal couple are also joined by Luxembourg officials as well as Prime Minister Luc Frieden and the Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth

Also on the agenda today is a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in memory of those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars

Then, there are meetings at the Palais de la Nation scheduled, before the royals all meet for lunch

Day one will end with a State Banquet at the Château de Laeken. This trip aims to highlight ‘new areas of cooperation’, as outlined by the Luxembourg Government

The official welcome ceremony took place on the Place des Palais, where both national anthems played after a presentation from the troops

.The Belgian Queen was effortlessly elegant in a dusky pale pink ensemble, featuring an A-line dress that cinched at the waist with a belt

Mathilde accessorised her look with a matching headpiece and handbag, teamed with pastel gloves

The outlet, reporting on a conversation the Grand Duke had with programme Place Royale, also revealed that he said it’s ‘obvious’ that he ‘intends to retire at some point’.

‘There are plans,’ Henri – who has reigned since October 2000 – explained. ‘There will come a day when it will have to be done.’

His comments follow a series of abdication rumours amid European royals, after Queen Margrethe of Denmark made the shock decision to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January.

At the time, royal biographer Phil Dampier told MailOnline that he believes King Charles will be influenced by events in Denmark since New Year’s Eve – especially if it would protect the future of the British Royal Family.

He added that the Prince and Princess of Wales are very friendly with Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, and will have been in contact with them.

Meanwhile, Maria Teresa opted for a deep navy frock and ornate overcoat. The Grand Duchess opted for bedazzled earrings and a glamorous make-up look, styling her short blonde tresses in gentle waves

Mathilde elevated her classy look with a pearl necklace and ornate earrings, adding to her dusky pink outfit

The royals shielded themselves form the rainy weather with clear umbrellas as the state visit kicked off

Maria Teresa was all smiles as she donned a navy dress and patterned overcoat for day one of the visit

The royals greeted each other warmly, leaning in to chat to one another as they state visit began today

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were in good spirits as they walked alongside each other today

The Grand Duke of Luxembourg and the King of Belgium matched in sleek black coats for the outing

The royal couples chatted and smiled as they kicked off day one of the state visit, starting today

Mathilde added warmth to the glum weather with a dusky pink ensemble which she adorned with a matching bag

Mathilde accessorised her look with a hat and gloves, elevating the already elegant and glamorous look

‘Our late Queen would never abdicate because of what happened in 1936 when her uncle abdicated and her father came to the throne. But times change,’ he explained.

‘William and Kate get on very well with Frederik and Mary and will be among the first to congratulate them. They will be fascinated to see how they get on as King and Queen and it will make them think about their future as well’.

However, King Harald of Norway has confirmed he has no plans to abdicate after speculation he could follow in the footsteps of his former Danish counterpart.

The monarch, 86, (who is the second cousin of King Charles III) insisted that the promise he made to the Norwegian Parliament when he acceded the throne in 1991 ‘lasts for life’.

King Harald told Faktisk.no: ‘I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath to the Storting, and it lasts for life.’

The Grand Duke and his wife Maria Teresa, 68, have five children including Guillaume – Prince Félix, 39, Prince Louis, 37, Princess Alexandra, 33 and Prince Sébastien, 31.

Guillaume and his wife Stéphanie, 40, have two sons: Charles, three, and François Henri Louis Marie Guillaume, who turned one last month.

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