Prince Emmanuel of Belgium turns 21 with a new portrait and a surprising life beyond the palace

Prince Emmanuel of Belgium has a new birthday portrait, and its setting makes the photograph especially memorable. 

To celebrate his 21st birthday on October 4, the Belgian palace released an image of the prince standing among the trees at the Royal Domain of Laeken, photographed by Bas Bogaerts. Sunlight streams through the foliage behind him, giving the official photograph a warm, relaxed feel.

© BENOIT DOPPAGNE

With his hands tucked into his pockets, Emmanuel wears a gray checked blazer over a pale blue button-down shirt, paired with beige chinos and a black belt. The open collar and tousled blond hair soften the tailored outfit, creating a look that feels easy to recreate for fall.

The palace shared the photograph on its official Instagram account with birthday wishes in Dutch, French, and German, identifying the royal domain as the location. 

© BELGA HANDOUT KONINKLIJK PALEIS/

It offers a picturesque glimpse of the surroundings associated with Belgium’s royal family, and a timely introduction to the prince himself.

Born in Anderlecht on October 4, 2005, Emmanuel is the third child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. He has two older siblings, Princess Elisabeth and Prince Gabriel, and a younger sister, Princess Eléonore. 

© Patrick van Katwijk

He is third in line to the Belgian throne, following Elisabeth and Gabriel. Beyond the blazer and royal title, Emmanuel has a creative interest that might surprise royal fans discovering him for the first time. 

In June 2025, Belgian news agency Belga reported that he had begun releasing music under the name DJ Vyntrix, citing reporting by the Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. Belgian public broadcaster VRT also covered his musical venture, including a track with a particularly fitting title, “Palace.”

© BENOIT DOPPAGNE

Music is also part of his official biography, which lists the saxophone among his interests. According to the palace, Emmanuel enjoys nature, skiing, tennis, windsurfing and running. 

He speaks French, Dutch and English fluently, and earned his International Baccalaureate at the International School of Brussels in June 2024. He is now pursuing a bachelor’s course in commercial affairs at ISTEC.

© Prince Emmanuel is the third of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s four children, alongside his siblings Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel and Princess Eléonore.

His biography also highlights his volunteer work supporting vulnerable people. During the pandemic, he spoke by telephone with older residents of care homes to offer encouragement and companionship. It is another glimpse of the person behind the birthday portrait, a young royal whose interests span business, music, sport and helping others.