Queen Mathilde of Belgium takes surprise fashion risk during sensitive outing

Queen Mathilde of Belgium is one of the more low-key, quietly stylish European royal ladies, who often opts for a more traditionally glamorous or couture look, often from her go-to house Natan or other heritage houses such as Dior.

However, she does occasionally surprise us with a more daring look, and her outfit from her most recent royal engagement could have been a slightly risky one, but the 53-year-old’s styling choices manage to emerge as thoughtful and professional, while still being rather fashion forward.

On Friday, 6 February, she paid a visit to the Sexual Violence Support Centre (CPVS) in Lodelinsart, where she was given a tour of the facilities and shown how victims fo sexual violence are provided with support.

The Belgian Queen opted for a bold red leather-style top that resembled a blazer, and featured a twisted front style rather than a traditional closure. According to royal style blogger @royalfashionpolice on Instagram, it’s a vegan leather top from Natan. 

Though it’s a rather untraditional choice for a poignant outing, the blazer-like structure and silhouette of the leather top, combined with the choice of a vegan leather, makes it a little tamer than a traditional leather choice.

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Her combination of the top with a pair of relaxed grey single-pleat trousers kept the look suit-like and professional-looking, and not at all out of place in her regular wardrobe for royal engagements.

The symbolism of Queen Mathilde’s outfit

Marina Thomas, a colour expert, personal stylist and fashion commentator, previously spoke exclusively to HELLO! about the significance of royals wearing red, explaining how it symbolises “courage, willpower and sacrifice”.

“This symbolism dates back to the Spartans, Persians, and later the Romans, who all wore scarlet in battle,” she continued. “Wearing red certainly portrays confidence and a willingness to be seen and noticed,” adding that it is also “strongly associated with love, as well as with protection.”

Given the sensitive nature of Queen Mathilde’s outing, this combination of regal confidence and symbols of love and protection makes the perfect image to send out as a modern royal, especially during an engagement supporting victims of sexual violence.