22 MARCH 2004
Belgium's Princess Mathilde and Luxembourg's Grand Duchess Maria Teresa joined forces at the weekend to help landmine victims around the world, attending a glitzy fundraiser in Brussels.

The two royals, both on radiant form and swathed in elegant semi-formal eveningwear, were joined at the gathering in aid of Handicap International by over 100 of the country's top business people and political figures.

Development Minister Marc Verwilghen said a few words to mark the occasion, before the guests tucked into a lavish meal. And before the evening drew to a close, there was an auction of artworks by top Belgian artists Panamarenko and Delvaux.

Proceeds from the event will be used to build new centres for landmine victims and to train mine clearing teams in war-ravaged nations.

Handicap International aims to ensure that people with disabilities, wherever they may be in the world, can regain their independence and lead a dignified life. The charity already has 60 projects running in 17 countries, but needless to say there is still an enormous amount of work to be done.