19 APRIL 2002
Six months old and full of beans, a very smiley baby Princess Elisabeth of Belgium was out on show this week with her parents, Princess Mathilde and Prince Philippe, in the gardens of the majestic Laeken Castle.

The little blonde and blue-eyed princess was pictured in the arms of her radiant mother Mathilde and held by her proud father, Prince Philippe. Chubby-faced and sporting a pink romper suit, she grinned happily, clearly enjoying the occasion.

Elisabeth Therese Marie Helen- her full name- is second in line to the Belgian Crown after her father Philippe, and following a 1991 law which gives women equal right to the throne, could one day be the first woman to rule the country.

The royal baby´s birth, at which Philippe was present, was celebrated with a 101 cannon salute. The little princess was baptised last December in the Castle of Ciergnon.

The heir to the throne married Princess Mathilde at the Royal Palace in Brussels in December 1999. Before marrying, Prince Philippe trained as a jet-pilot and commando, and is now involved in projects to help the young and deprived. Princess Mathilde works as a speech therapist and like her husband is very widely travelled.

The happy family scene makes a wonderful birthday present for Prince Philippe, who was 42 on April 15.