It's been a busy week for Queen Mathilde and King Philippe. The royal couple embarked on a state visit to Kazakhstan and on Monday evening dined at a glamorous state dinner, held at Reception House.
Queen Mathilde turned heads in an enchanting red jumpsuit from Elie Saab's Autumn/Winter 2025–2026 collection. The eye-catching design featured a gloriously glittered cape. The cape set it apart from most eveningwear items because the unique accessory adds more glamour and ensures the wearer goes that extra mile for a function.
© Getty ImagesCapes make a beautiful impact, and what's more, you don't really need an abundance of jewellery, as the neckline of the cape always acts as your main accessory.
The Princess of Wales' famed cape moment
The Princess of Wales is also a fan of a theatrical cape, so you can be sure she would have loved Mathilde's latest look.
© GettyIn 2021, Catherine's Jenny Packham gown made her look like an actual Bond girl when she joined her husband, Prince William, at the World Premiere of the 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die. The then-Duchess of Cambridge teamed her embellished evening gown with gold Aquazzura pumps and statement floral earrings by O'Nitaa.
© GettyThe Midas touch was her cascading cape, which ignited a major red-carpet trend, prompting designers across the globe to embrace the cape as the ultimate black-tie statement.
Inside the glamorous state dinner
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe landed in Astana on Monday and were greeted by President Tokayev ahead of the state dinner.
© Getty ImagesAll the stops were pulled out for the Belgian couple, with a menu including sturgeon, veal, and mousse, according to HLN, with music by Hans Zimmer.
The visit to Kazakhstan is making history as they're the first Belgian royal couple to pay an official visit to both the former Soviet Republic and Central Asia. The trip, which ends 14 October, "will provide an opportunity to highlight success stories and explore new forms of cooperation in logistics and agriculture, two areas in which Belgium and Kazakhstan already enjoy close collaboration," an official government release said.
