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Although the visit officially began on June 23, Emperor Naruhito<\/a> and Empress Masako<\/a> of Japan landed for the Belgian royal banquet a few days early. The couple spent their weekend at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon, demonstrating the close relationship between the Japanese and Belgian royal families. At the airport, the emperor and empress were greeted by Belgium\u2019s Princess Elisabeth<\/a>, who was making her debut in this type of institutional duty typical of her future role as queen. Yesterday, following the official welcome at the king\u2019s Palace Square, the visiting Japanese dignitaries visited City Hall and Parliament, ending the day with a traditional state banquet at the Palace of Laeken.<\/p>\n This gala dinner provided several highlights. First and foremost was the debut of Princess El\u00e9onore\u2014having just turned 18, she is the youngest of the Belgian king and queen\u2019s four children<\/a> to wear a tiara for the first time. El\u00e9onore donned a tiara purchased in 2019 at an auction for 26,000 euros (or roughly $29,000), crafted by the Brussels-based jeweler Coosemans.<\/p>\n Eleonore of Belgium<\/p>\n <\/span>Photonews\/Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n The ornate accessory features scrollwork and clover motifs in silver and gold, set with diamonds that can be detached and worn as a brooch. It was an 18th-birthday gift from El\u00e9onore\u2019s parents. The Belgian royal also debuted a dress by Safiyaa, a designer who has become a favorite among the younger generation of royals. The cape-style design is very similar to those we\u2019ve occasionally seen on Princess Amalia of the Netherlands<\/a>.<\/p>\n