MUMBAI,10 November, 2017 (GPN) : King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, who are on a two day visit to the financial capital, visited Oval Maidan today. The King and Queen, showing their sporty skills, played cricket with cricketer Virendar Shehwag and children, organised by UNICEF. The duo enthusiastically interacted with the children and learnt few cricketing tips also. Later, the Queen made a special visit to the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation. The Queen having special interest in music education attended the concert by the students of the foundation. The Queen is the Patron of the International Queen Elizabeth Competition held in Brussels every year. She also interacted with young musicians. Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, established to honour Mehli Mehta, father of Maestro Zubin Mehta, aims to bring western classical music into people’s lives.

The Royal Couple also met child and adult domestic workers of the National Domestic Workers’ Movement. Founder Sr. Jeanne Devos of Jaan Foundation started the foundation to give hope and critical support to children in need of care and protection. It was earlier instrumental in highlighting the plight of child and adult domestic workers in India. Children presented skits to showcase plight of such children.

On the invitation of the President of India, the royal couple are on a seven day State visit to India from 5-11 Nov 2017. The visit, which is taking place in the year when both nations are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties, is aimed at deepening the overall political and economic engagement between the two countries. The Royal couple is accompanied by six Ministers and a high powered business delegation comprising of CEOs of about 90 Belgian companies, 13 Heads of academic institutions and a 30-member media delegation.ENDS