Queen Mathilde celebrates her 52nd birthday today. To mark the occasion, the royal palace released two new photos showing the queen in the snow.
Queen Mathilde was born in Ukkel (Brussels) on 20 January 1973 and blows out 52 candles today. She is the wife of Filip, King of Belgians, whom she married in 1999. Together they have four children: Elisabeth (2001), Gabriel (2003), Emmanuel (2005) and Eléonore (2008).
The new photos show the queen walking through the snow near Laken Castle in the City of Brussels. In the first picture, we see the Royal Greenhouses in the background. That complex is open to the public several weeks each summer.
Queen Mathilde accompanies King Filip on state visits but is also actively involved in several organisations regarding the upbringing and education of children, poverty and women's rights. She speaks Dutch with a slight French accent, French, English, Italian and has a smattering of Spanish.
In her free time, the queen enjoys playing tennis, swimming, cycling and hiking in nature. She is also an avid reader and music lover. She plays the piano and enjoys listening to modern and classical music. She loves culture, the arts and dance.