It is common for Monarchies to have a few different set of envelopes, use for different royals, or in varying sizes. But, the Belgium Monarchy wins the award for highest number of unique envelopes that they use.
We have broken the envelopes in the following categories:
1 - Palace of Brussels
2 - Monograms
3 - Belvédère
4 - Crown
5 - Name of Office
6 - Other
The "Years Received" & "Reply From" is based on my own experience. The envelope may be used for a longer period and for more royals than what I had received. (In terms of "Years Received," if I received it multiple years, I have listed a range. One year gaps are included in the range. E.g. if I received the envelope in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2023 would be listed as "2015-2018, 2023".
1 - Palace of Brussels
These envelope all feature the name "Palace of Brussels" on the envelope in some language.
- Palais de Bruxelles - Dutch
- Palais Royal - French
#1a - Crisp Crown, Palais de Bruxelles
Years Received: 2017
Reply From: Queen Mathilde, Joint (King Philippe & Queen Mathilde)
Front: Purple crown with Palais de Bruxelles, embossed
Back: Blank
Versions:
#1a.1 - Purple inside
#1a.2 - Pink inside
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| Close up of Crown with more |
#1b - Detailed Crown, Palais de Bruxelles
Years Received: 2015, 2018-2021
Reply From:
- Joint
- King Philippe & Queen Mathilde (including on behalf of children)
- Prince Laurent and Princess Claire
- Solo
- King Philippe
- Queen Mathilde
- Princess Astrid
- Princess Elisabeth
Front: Detailed Purple crown with Palais de Bruxelles, embossed
Back: Blank
Inside: Various
Variations: This envelope comes in various iterations with slightly different size & shade of purple crowns and text, different inside colors, different shade of white envelopes, etc.
The Postmark was printed on the bottom of the envelope in this example.
#1c - Palais de Bruxelles with window
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Years Received: 2016
Royal Used: Joint (King Philippe & Queen Mathilde)
Purpose: For Letters where the recipient's address would be printed on the letter.
Front: Purple Crown with "Palais de Bruxelles" (Palace of Brussels) with Window
Back: Blank
The envelope is made of "Laid" Paper.
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#1d- Purple Crown, Palais Royal
Years Received: 2022-2023
Royal Used: Queen Mathilde
Purpose: For French Language Replies
Front: Purple Crown with "Palais Royal" (Royal Palace of Brussels)
Back: Blank
Compared to the envelope with the Dutch "Palais de Bruxelles", this crown is larger, a slightly different design and the text is a different font.
2 - Monograms
These replies all feature a Monogram or Joint Monogram on the envelope.
#2a - Red F/P & M Joint Monogram (Front)
Years Received: 2016-2019
Royal Used: King Philippe & Queen Mathilde
Purpose: This is only used when sending out mail with the couple's joint Monogram. Mostly we jsut see this used with their Christmas Reply.
Front: Joint Monogram in Red
Back: Blank
#2b - Red F/P & M Joint Monogram (Back)
Years Received: 2021-2022
Royal Used: Joint (King Philippe & Queen Mathilde)
Purpose: This is only used when sending out mail with the couple's joint Monogram. Mostly we jsut see this used with their Christmas Reply.
Front: -
Back: King Philippe & Queen Mathilde's joint monogram.
3 - Belvédère
These replies all feature "Belvédère" on the envelope.
#3a - Purple Crown, Belvédère, Cream
Years Received: 2018
Reply From: -
Purpose: Pairs with matching flat card
Front: Purple Crown with Belvédère written underneath.
Back: Blank
This envelope is Cream
The difference between this envelope and #3b is the color of the envelope. #3b is White colored.
#3b - Purple Crown, Belvédère, White
Year Used: 2017-2020
Reply From: Queen Paola, King Albert
Purpose: Pairs with matching flat card
Front: Purple Crown with Belvédère written underneath.
Back: Blank
This envelope is white.
The difference between this envelope and #3a is the color of the envelope. #3a is Cream colored.
#3c - Belvédère Address with Purple Liner
Year Used: 2016-2019, 2023
Reply From: Queen Paola, Joint (King Albert & Queen Paola)
Use: From Belvédere Castle
Front: Blank
Back: Crown with Belvédère written underneath. The address is printed on the edge of the flap and is written in French and Dutch.
The inside of the envelope has a purple tissue paper liner.
#3d - Belvédère Address with No Liner
Year Used: 2023 -2024
Reply From: King Albert, Joint (King Albert & Queen Paola)
Front: Blank
Back: Crown with Belvédère written underneath. The address is printed on the edge of the flap and is written in French and Dutch.
4 - Crown No Text
These replies all feature a crown on the envelope with no additional text.
Years Received: 2015, 2020
Royal Used: Queen Paola, Joint (King Albert & Queen Paola)
Purpose: Used with Large Card
Front: Blank
Back: Tiny Purple Crown
Back: Tiny Purple Crown
White Paper Lining inside the envelope.
#4b - Red Crown
Year Received: 2018
Royal Used: Joint (King Albert & Queen Paola)
Purpose: Red for Christmas?
Front: Red Crown
Back: Blank
#4c - Red Crown Back, Extra Large Envelope
Year Received: 2018
Royal Used: Joint (Queen Paola & King Albert)
Purpose: Red for Christmas?
Front: Blank
Back: Red Crown
#4d - Dark Purple Crown, Purple Lining
Year Received: 2017-2018
Royal Used: Joint (King Albert & Queen Paola), Queen Paola
Purpose: Larger than normal cards
Front: Blank
Back: Purple Crown
Purple on the inside, not a lining printed on the envelope paper.
#4e - Purple Crown Front
Year Received: 2021
Royal Used: Joint (King Albert and Queen Paola)
Purpose:
Front: Purple Crown
Back: Blank
5 - Name of Office
These replies all feature "Palais de Bruxelles" on the envelope.
#5a - Purple Crown, Secretariat de la Reine
Year Received: 2016-2018
Royal Used: Queen Mathilde
Purpose: Used by Queen Mathilde's office
Front: Purple Crown with "Secretariat de la Reine" (Office of the Secretary of The Queen) written underneath.
Back: Blank
6 - Other
These replies don't fall into other categories.
#6a - Blank with Blue inside
Year Received: 2018
Royal Used: -
Purpose: Used for Extra Large cards, fits sheet of paper folded in hald.
Front: Blank
Back: Blank
Blue printed inside.
