Tuesday 24 May 2016

Celebrate Good Times

The Grand Master

As well as the Mass and Investiture, 
the 350th anniversary of the Order in Belgium 
was celebrated with a cocktail party and a splendid Charity Dinner.

The Grand Prior of Belgium making us welcome.

Cocktails were served in the Napoleon Room of 
Le Cercle Catholique
on the Cathedral Square.

HE Matthew Jackson, 
Grand Secretary and our own Marshal, 
enjoys the refreshments.
He was serving at the altar for me when he was only ten years old!

New Chaplain to the Order, Abbé Serge de Cauwer
explains the Belgium sense of humour.

 
Don Cyrille Bachelfort greets Princess Léa of Belgium.

With Prince Charles-Phillipe and some of the British contingent.

Guests of honour, including Princess Lea of Belgium,
Princess Marie Gabrielle of Savoy and
Mr Maxime Prevot, Vice President of the Walloon Government.
You might notice behind them all the companies
who are sponsoring the work of the Order in Belgium.
A reminder that our celebrating was not an end in itself.

A Gala Dinner followed in the smart setting of
Castle Cercle de Wallonie 
in the Namur Citadel.



Pierre Piccinin da Prata, writer and war reporter
and member of the Belgian Grand Priory.
Twice held hostage in Syria during his work.





Looking ready for dinner...
... or at least for those wine glasses to be filled.
Where is that waiter?

With thanks to François de Ribaucourt for kind permission to use his photographs.


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