Princess Elisabeth shares a rare personal video as Belgium marks her 25th birthday with two special tributes

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium had a personal message for everyone who helped make her 25th birthday special. The royal, who celebrated the milestone on Sunday, October 25, appeared in a video shared by the Belgian Royal Palace to thank those who had sent their birthday wishes. 

© Photonews

Speaking in French and Dutch, Elisabeth expressed her appreciation for the outpouring of affection. “I simply wanted to thank you for all the messages for my 25th birthday,” she said in French, translated into English. 

The princess went on to acknowledge the letters, social media messages and thoughtful gestures she had received. Although she had not yet managed to read everything, she explained that the response had touched her deeply and left her with a warm feeling. 

© Palais royal/Koninklijk Paleis

The selfie-style recording offered a casual glimpse of Elisabeth, with her hair loose around her shoulders and wired earphones visible as she addressed the camera. 

It accompanied a new black-and-white birthday portrait, giving royal followers two different glimpses of the princess as she marked the occasion. 

© Shutterstock

Her birthday also brought two commemorative tributes. In the palace announcement, Belgium’s postal service, Bpost, unveiled a special stamp, while the Royal Mint of Belgium marked the occasion with a commemorative coin featuring the princess’s likeness.

For the stamp, the palace selected a black-and-white portrait by photographer Bas Bogaerts. According to Bpost, the project involved several months of collaboration with the royal household, which arranged the photo session and chose the final image. 

© Palais royal/Koninklijk Paleis

Designer Myriam Voz then adapted the photograph into a stamp sheet with gold accents. There is a small piece of Belgian royal history behind the release, too. Although Elisabeth has appeared on stamps before, including one celebrating her 18th birthday in 2019, this is the first special self-adhesive stamp dedicated to a member of the Belgian royal family. 

The sheets became available on Monday, October 26. The new portrait celebrates a milestone for a princess whose future carries historic significance. 

© Max Mumby/Indigo

Elisabeth is expected to become Belgium’s first reigning queen. For her 25th birthday, however, her own message focused on a simple expression of gratitude to the people who had thought of her.