King Philippe and Queen Mathilde paid a visit to Mechelen on Tuesday morning in honor of Volunteer Week. The city, recognized as Belgium’s first European Volunteer Capital, welcomed the
royal couple for a day dedicated to celebrating the vital role of volunteers.
A tribute to volunteers
Volunteer Week 2025, running from March 1 to 9, carries the theme “Volunteer, You Build Our World!” The week serves as a moment for Belgium to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of volunteers across various sectors, including nature conservation, sports, culture, healthcare, and community projects.
Royal encounters with volunteers
The visit began with a warm reception at Mechelen’s city hall, where Mayor Bart Somers and Provincial Governor Cathy Berx greeted the King and Queen. From there, they headed to De Lage Drempel, a community center where volunteers support people facing financial hardship. The center provides resources such as access to computers, cultural outings, and social activities like cooking classes and choir sessions.
Next, the royal couple explored Circolito, a circus school where volunteers teach students—ranging from young children to seniors—various circus skills. In a lighthearted moment, King Philippe quipped, “I can do some circus too—I often have to juggle at a high level.”
Circolito chairman Dieter Goossens highlighted the strong culture of volunteering within the organization, noting, “It’s not difficult to find volunteers. Many start as students and later become assistants because they love the circus. Teaching children is incredibly rewarding.”
One particularly thrilling moment came when a 14-year-old student executed a daring somersault over the King, who remained seated and composed. “I was a bit nervous—jumping over a real person is very different from jumping over a rope or a block,” the young acrobat admitted.
To cap off their visit, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde joined a magic lesson, attempting tricks with a circus cloth. Afterward, Queen Mathilde graciously told the children, “You can do this much better than we can!”
The royal visit shone a spotlight on Mechelen’s vibrant volunteer community, reinforcing the essential role of volunteers in shaping a supportive and dynamic society. Photo by Michael Thaidigsmann, Wikimedia commons.