King Philippe and Queen Mathilde swapped palace surroundings for the dramatic Austrian Alps this week as they joined fellow European royals and heads of state for an important gathering focused on some of the continent’s biggest challenges.
The Belgian monarch and his wife traveled to Austria for the 22nd informal meeting of the heads of state of German-speaking countries, held Sept. 1 and 2 in Innsbruck and Alpbach. The annual gathering brings together representatives from Belgium, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
© JOHANN GRODERThis year's meeting, hosted by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, took the high-profile guests far beyond the traditional conference room. After gathering for a working lunch in Innsbruck to discuss current European issues, the group traveled to the Stubai Glacier for a firsthand look at the effects of climate change on the Alpine region.
A royal gathering 10,000 feet above sea level:
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were joined by Luxembourg's Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie, Liechtenstein's Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender, Swiss President Guy Parmelin and his wife Caroline, as well as their Austrian hosts.
© JOHANN GRODERThe group traveled by cable car to the Stubai Glacier's spectacular Top of Tyrol viewing platform, which sits approximately 3,210 meters, or more than 10,500 feet, above sea level. Against the dramatic backdrop of the surrounding peaks and ice, scientists offered the visitors a closer look at how rising temperatures are transforming the Alps.
© JOHANN GRODERGlacier researcher Andrea Fischer was among the experts who spoke to the heads of state during the excursion. Climate change was one of the central themes of this year's gathering, with discussions addressing the consequences of warming for the Alpine region and the importance of international cooperation in responding to the changes.
The Belgian Palace shared photos from the memorable outing, including an image of the King and Queen taking in the glacier alongside their fellow leaders.
© JOHANN GRODERFrom climate change to Europe's future:
The glacier excursion was only one part of the two-day program. The leaders' discussions also centered on Europe's future, with this year's gathering taking place under the broader theme of European cohesion.
On Wednesday, Sept. 2, the group headed to Alpbach for a working session connected to the European Forum Alpbach and its 2026 theme, "How Europe Wins."
© EXPA/ JOHANN GRODERThe informal format has become an annual tradition. The meetings have been held since 2004, with the exception of 2020, and rotate between the six participating countries. Switzerland hosted the gathering in 2025, while Austria last welcomed the group in 2019.
For Philippe and Mathilde, the Austrian visit offered a particularly dramatic setting for a serious conversation, bringing Europe's leaders face-to-face with a landscape already being reshaped by a changing climate.
