An Imperial Week in Photos: Emperor Naruhito Visits Belgium

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While on an official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress bid farewell to King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands on June 19 during a visit to the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht.

*Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako speak with young patients at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht, the Netherlands, on June 19.*

*Empress Masako receives a bouquet from a patient at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht, the Netherlands, on June 19.*

The following day, the Imperial couple traveled by government aircraft from the Netherlands to Belgium, where they stayed at Ciergnon Castle, the Belgian royal family's residence in the southern town of Houyet. On June 21, they joined King Philippe and his family for a garden dinner at the castle.

*Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are welcomed upon arriving at Melsbroek Air Base outside Brussels on June 20.*

On June 22, Their Majesties moved to the Palace of Laeken in Brussels, the official residence of King Philippe and his family. They attended an official welcoming ceremony and state banquet the following day.

*Following the welcoming ceremony, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako wave alongside King Philippe and Queen Mathilde from Brussels City Hall on June 23.*

*Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako pose for a commemorative photo with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Palace of Laeken in Brussels on June 22.*

State Banquet

At the banquet, Emperor Naruhito reflected on the longstanding ties between the Japanese Imperial Family and the Belgian royal family, which date back to the reign of Emperor Showa. "I feel a sense of closeness through the ties that have continued across four generations," he said.

Earlier in his remarks, King Philippe recalled going jogging with the Emperor, joking, "It was not easy to keep up with Your Majesty's pace."

Speaking about relations between the two countries, he added, "In today's world, it is simply reassuring to have a friend like Japan on the other side of the globe."

On June 24, the Emperor visited KU Leuven, a Catholic research university, with King Philippe, where he viewed books and other materials donated by Japan.

*Before leaving KU Leuven, Emperor Naruhito and King Philippe greet members of the public who had gathered outside on June 24.*

The following day, Their Majesties bid farewell to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Palace of Laeken.

*After touring the grounds of the Palace of Laeken, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako bid farewell to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde on June 25 in Brussels.*

*Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako with King Philippe and his family at Ciergnon Castle in Houyet, southern Belgium, on June 21.*

Princess Aiko's Engagements

The daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, attended a special concert marking the 70th anniversary of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra at Suntory Hall in Tokyo on June 22.

*Princess Aiko arrives for a concert marking the 70th anniversary of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra in Tokyo's Minato Ward on June 22.*

According to those in attendance, Princess Aiko commented on the performance of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 8, saying, "My father told me not to miss the flute solo in the second half."

On June 25, Princess Aiko visited the National Art Center, Tokyo, to view the exhibition HANAE MORI Vital Type: The 100th Anniversary of Birth.

*Princess Aiko visits the exhibition HANAE MORI Vital Type: The 100th Anniversary of Birth at the National Art Center, Tokyo, on the afternoon of June 25.*

The Akishino Family

Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) attended the awards ceremony for the 28th Japan Water Prize at The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Tokyo on June 23. He serves as honorary president of the Japan Water Prize Committee.

On June 25, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, and their second daughter, Princess Kako, met at the Akishino residence in the Akasaka Estate with administrative counselors who continued serving their communities despite having been affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake themselves.

*Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, and their second daughter, Princess Kako, receive administrative counselors from Ishikawa Prefecture at the Akishino residence on June 25.*

On June 24, Crown Princess Kiko and Princess Kako visited an exhibition for the Heralbony Art Prize 2026, which recognizes artists with disabilities.

*Crown Princess Kiko and Princess Kako view the Heralbony Art Prize 2026 exhibition in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on June 24.*

Earlier, on June 19, Princess Kako attended a performance by a Belgian dance company at the Saitama Arts Theater. During a reception afterward, she asked the dancers, "What is your favorite movement?" and joined in by trying the footwork demonstrated by one of them.

*Princess Kako attends a performance by the Belgian dance company Rosas in Saitama on June 19.*

Other Imperial Engagements

Princess Akiko of Mikasa attended the 77th Takamatsunomiya Memorial Cup Keirin in Osaka Prefecture on June 21.

Her younger sister, Princess Yoko of Mikasa, traveled to Tokyo's Koto Ward on June 20 to attend the general meeting of the Inclusive Design Network, where she serves as honorary adviser.

Princess Takamado (Hisako) returned to Japan on June 22 after visiting the United States and other countries, where she watched Japan's national team compete in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

Author: The Sankei Shimbun

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