Belgian royals roll out the red carpet for President Tharman

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam with Belgium’s King Philippe at a welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace in Brussels on March 24. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH

Clement Tan

UPDATED Mar 25, 2025, 05:15 AM

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BRUSSELS – Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde received President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his spouse, Mrs Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, at the Royal Palace on March 24, marking the start of the first state visit by a Singaporean leader since bilateral relations were established nearly 59 years ago.

Arriving in a Mercedes-Benz car at the front plaza of the palace, flanked by members of the Belgian Royal Escort on horses and motorcycles, Mr Tharman inspected the military guard of honour before being ushered into the palace.

He also took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, built in memory of Belgian soldiers who died during World War I , and met Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

President Tharman and Mr De Wever reaffirmed the longstanding ties between Singapore and Belgium, and discussed the strengthening of collaboration in areas such as maritime, innovation and sustainability.