On March 24, 2025, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium welcomed Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his wife Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam for a three-day state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. The official reception took place in Brussels, where diplomatic discussions were held to further enhance cooperation.
The evening of the first day featured a lavish state banquet at the Royal Castle of Laeken, attended by high-ranking officials from politics, diplomacy, and business. President Shanmugaratnam was received with military honors, and official speeches highlighted the long-standing ties between Belgium and Singapore. Images from the evening were shared on social media by the palace, showcasing the royal couple's hospitality.
Queen Mathilde made a striking appearance at the banquet in a soft pink evening gown designed by Belgian designer Pierre Gauthier, which she had previously worn during a visit to the Netherlands in 2016. The gown was complemented by the Brabant Tiara, also known as the Laurel Tiara, a historic piece crafted in 1912 from platinum and brilliant-cut diamonds, which is part of the royal family's collection.
Singapore stands as the European Union's key trading partner in Southeast Asia, serving as an economic hub for the entire Asia-Pacific region. Since the implementation of the free trade agreement in 2019, economic relations between Belgium and Singapore have deepened significantly. Over 10,000 European companies operate in Singapore, many establishing regional headquarters there. The city-state is also recognized as a close partner in areas such as digital transformation, green initiatives, and innovation.
Following the state visit to Belgium, President Shanmugaratnam and his wife traveled to Luxembourg, where they were invited by the Grand Ducal couple. However, the visit faced an unexpected incident on March 28, when two motorcycle officers from the Grand Ducal Police were involved in an accident while escorting the presidential convoy. The officers sustained minor injuries, and the accident occurred around 10:45 AM on Avenue John F. Kennedy in Luxembourg-Kirchberg. The road was temporarily closed for cleanup.
On March 27, the Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa had already welcomed the Singaporean delegation, which included a private lunch at the palace attended by ministers such as Xavier Bettel, Lex Delles, Gilles Roth, and Léon Gloden. The evening concluded with a gala dinner.
The state visit marks a significant milestone as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Luxembourg and Singapore, which were established on March 17, 1975. The Singaporean presidential couple is accompanied by representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Finance, as well as a state minister.
The day’s agenda included laying a wreath at the "Monument national de la solidarité luxembourgeoise" in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Army Chief Steve Thull. Following this, discussions were held at the palace with Claude Wiseler, President of the Chamber of Deputies. A private lunch was organized to provide nourishment before the guests attended a musical "Séance académique" at the Luxembourg City Hall.
Mayor Lydie Polfer emphasized the importance of the exchange between both nations in her ten-minute speech, stating, "As small nations, we must defend balance and equality among all nations and nationalities, as well as unity and togetherness, especially when nationalist forces use words and fears as weapons."
Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, the wife of the Singaporean president, showcased her eclectic style with two different outfits during the visit. In the morning, she wore a burgundy dress with a dark red sash over her left shoulder, accompanied by a violet velvet beret. For the midday event, she donned a vibrant pink two-piece outfit with a violet-blue-green sash, symbolizing the diverse Asian cultures that coexist in Singapore. Known for her artistic flair, Jane is admired for her fashionable and creative wardrobe choices.
The visit also included a tour of the "Musée d’art moderne" (Mudam), where attendees explored the complex architecture of the building and viewed the exhibition "Ho Tzu Nyen: Time & the Tiger." This exhibition showcases the Singaporean artist's work, which illustrates themes of temporal twists and the mythology surrounding the tiger, as well as the impact of Japanese imperialism in Asia during World War II.
As the day unfolded, schoolchildren gathered at the "Knuedler," waving paper flags to greet the Singaporean presidential couple and the Grand Ducal family. The event culminated with a photo opportunity at the Corniche, often referred to as "the most beautiful balcony in Europe," before the evening's gala dinner commenced.
On March 28, the final day of their visit, the Singaporean delegation will visit SES in Betzdorf and the Centre national d’incendie et de secours in Luxembourg City. The guests are scheduled to depart for home just before 7 PM.
Notably, both Luxembourg and Singapore share similarities, such as multilingualism, diversity, and economic growth. With a robust service and financial sector, Singapore is classified as one of the four "Asian Tiger States," achieving high economic growth that parallels Luxembourg's AAA credit rating from leading rating agencies. Luxembourg is often referred to as "The Green Heart of Europe," while Singapore is known as "The Garden City."
