King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visit Mechelen for Volunteer Week
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visited Mechelen on Tuesday morning as part of Volunteer Week. Mechelen, the first Belgian city named European Volunteer Capital, hosted the royal couple for a day celebrating volunteer initiatives.
The theme of Volunteer Week 2025 is “Volunteer, you build our world!” From 1-9 March, Belgium is reflecting on the efforts of volunteers in nature, sport, culture, care and neighbourhood initiatives.
After a reception at city hall by mayor Bart Somers and provincial governor Cathy Berx, the King and Queen visited De Lage Drempel, a community centre where people in poverty meet volunteers over coffee. The association provides information, computer access and activities like theatre visits, cooking lessons and choir sessions.
Next, they toured circus school Circolito, where volunteers help teach circus skills to students aged four to 75. “I can do some circus too - I often have to juggle at a high level,” the King joked.
Circolito chair Dieter Goossens commented on the strong volunteer spirit: “It really isn’t difficult to find volunteers. They start as students, then become assistants because they love the circus. Teaching children is very rewarding.”
During their visit, a 14-year-old circus student performed a somersault over the King, who sat calmly in his chair. “I was a bit stressed - jumping over a real person is different from a block or a rope,” she said.
Finally, the King and Queen took part in a magic lesson with a circus cloth. “You can do this much better than we can,” Queen Mathilde told the children afterwards.
#FlandersNewsService | King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at youth circus school Circolito, 4 March 2025 © BELGA PHOTO MAARTEN STRAETEMANS
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