King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium stepped onto the archery grounds during a cultural showcase of nomadic life in Almaty, Kazakhstan, as part of their ongoing state visit. DHnet reported that the royal couple took up traditional bows near a collection of nomadic yurts, creating a brief moment of tension and excitement among the traveling Belgian delegation.
The royal visit to Almaty’s Haragun Country Club featured a visual spectacle of horses and traditional costumes. During a guided stable tour, King Philippe noted a personal connection to the setting. “Besides, ‘Philippe’ means ‘friend of horses’ in Greek,” the King told journalists and photographers present at the stables.
According to La Libre, the Almaty excursion was specifically requested by King Philippe, who wanted to view the natural landscape and mountains of Kazakhstan. The stop followed earlier diplomatic and technological engagements in the Central Asian nation.
Medical Technology and Nuclear Research Cooperation
Officials outlined the operation of particle accelerators built by Ion Beam Applications (IBA), a Belgian firm recognized globally for medical accelerator technology. The facility relies on an IBA particle accelerator to produce radio-isotopes utilized in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Tonight King Philippe & Queen Mathilde will attend the prelude concert ahead of the National Day. pic.twitter.com/oIFTlJF8h1
Sovereigns inspected a second, more compact IBA accelerator model prepared for immediate installation. La Libre and DHnet notes indicate that five medical devices from the Louvain-la-Neuve manufacturer are currently distributed across various medical centers throughout Kazakhstan.
Historical Diplomatic Ties and Prior Visits to Baikonur
King Philippe’s current trip builds on decades of bilateral relations. La Libre reported that the King previously visited Kazakhstan three times while serving as crown prince, highlighting milestones such as the 2002 Baikonur landing of Belgian astronaut Frank De Winne. In 2009, the King returned to observe a space rocket launch carrying another Belgian astronaut for a long-term mission on the International Space Station.
In 2010, King Philippe led the initial Belgian economic mission to Kazakhstan, establishing a foundation for subsequent commercial and academic exchanges. During the current state visit, the King commended Kazakhstan’s societal reforms, advancements in artificial intelligence and digitization, and its diplomatic role as a defender of international legal order.
Upcoming Meetings in Brussels
The state visit continues as the Belgian monarch prepares for further diplomatic engagements in Europe. King Philippe is scheduled to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels on Thursday, shifting focus back to European security and international diplomacy.
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