Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde on Wednesday toured the Walloon Brabant town of Rixensart, visiting a shelter for young female asylum seekers and a malaria vaccine plant, among other things.
The shelter, run by the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (FEDASIL), takes in unaccompanied underage women who are pregnant or have young children in their care. It is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Accompanied by Mayor Patricia Lebon and Governor Gilles Mahieu, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were given a tour by Thierry Pire, in charge of the centre, who pointed out the delicate situation of the residents.
“There are currently about 30 of them," Pire said. "Our public is quite vulnerable and fragile, because some people have traumas linked to their country of origin.”
In addition to around 40 permanent employees, the shelter can also count on about 60 volunteers from the neighbourhood.
“Some give language lessons; others organise workshops or offer academic support," said Jean-Louis, one of the volunteers. It all happens in a great atmosphere. Personally, I am a recently retired engineer and I help three specific young people with their schooling.”
Later in the day, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visited the GSK pharmaceutical company in Rixensart that specialises in research, development and production of new vaccines. The royal couple was able to see the production line for malaria vaccines in particular.
The day ended at the Grand-Place Baudouin I in Braine-l’Alleud where a cheerful crowd gathered to see the royal couple.
The last official visit by a royal couple to Rixensart dates back to 1981, when King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola passed through the municipality. However, in 2020, King Philippe did pay a visit to the local postal sorting center to show support for severely affected postal workers during the health crisis.
