Queen of compassion: Mathilde of Belgium meets refugees fleeing the Syrian conflict as she begins an 'intense and emotional' visit to Jordan
- Belgian monarch, 43, is on seven day visit to Middle Eastern country
- Humanitarian visit will focus on plight of  600,000 Syrian refugees
- Mathilde visited  Al Zaatari refugee camp near Syrian border
- Will also reunite with Queen Rania who visited Belgium in May this yearÂ
Queen Mathilde of Belgium has admitted she's expecting an 'intense and emotional' few days as she arrived in Jordan to begin a humanitarian visit.
The monarch, 43, began her trip to the Middle East by visiting Jordan's biggest refugee camp Al Zaatari in Mafraq near the Syrian border, which is home to 80,000 people.Â
Mathilde smiled warmly as an elderly woman attempted to kiss her hand, despite wearing an oxygen mask as she spoke to patients at the UNICEF Makani Centre.Â
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Queen Mathilde smiled warmly as an elderly woman attempted to kiss her hand, despite wearing an oxygen mask as she spoke to patients at the UNICEF Makani Centre
Belgium's Queen Mathilde visits Jordan's biggest refugee camp Al Zaatari in Mafraq near the Syrian border, which is home to 80,000 people
She arrived in the Middle East last night, and told a journalist on her flight that she was expecting the next seven days to be 'emotional and intense'. Â
The royal is a UN Special Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals and today's visit coincided with United Nations Day.Â
This morning, the Belgian royal court issued a statement from the Queen, praising Jordan's humanitarian efforts. Â
'From Jordan where I am currently on a humanitarian mission, I wish everyone a happy United Nations (UN) Day,' she said. 'I specially thank the many UN workers for their permanent engagement.
Queen Mathilde chats to refugees who have fled conflict in Syria on a humanitarian visit to Jordan
Queen Mathilde of Belgium Queen is greeted by a patient at the UNICEF Makani Center in Mafraq
The Queen looked moved as she listened to accounts from refugees who have fled the conflict in SyriaÂ
The Belgian monarch is shown the vast refugee camp near the Syrian border which houses 80,000 displaced peopleÂ
'As an advocate of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, I can see how big the humanitarian needs are in Jordan and I recognise the enormous efforts made by Jordan in order to receive refugees from the region.
'All refugee children need access to education and good healthcare. Many children who fled the war in Syria are in need of psychological care.Â
'This is why I am asking that a special attention be given to education and healthcare of refugees and to their mental well-being in particular.
'I praise all humanitarian workers for their daily engagement that does not go without risks. I also thank the Jordan volunteers and families who give these vulnerable persons a home.
A smiling Mathilde greets an elderly patient as she begins a seven day humanitarian visit to JordanÂ
Mathilde is visiting the Middle East in her capacity as a UN advocate for sustainable developmentÂ
A smiling Mathilde mingles with inhabitants of the Al Zaatari refugee camp in Mafraq
The Belgian Queen, casually dressed in cream trousers and a burgundy top, surveys her surroundingsÂ
My presence on the field is a way of giving these persons a face and a voice.'
The mother-of-two is travelling without her husband King Philippe, but has been accompanied by International development minister Alexander De Croo.
She opted for an understated look with ankle skimming cream trousers and a patterned burgundy top, which matched her ballet flats, and accessorised with a straw shoulder bag. Â
The mother-of-two, who is travelling without her husband King Philippe, meets people who have fled the Syrian conflictÂ
Queen Mathilde arrives at Marka airport Amman, Jordan ahead of a humanitarian mission
The royal looked smart in a blue jacket and statement beaded necklaceÂ
On arrival in Jordan yesterday, she looked smart and polished even after a six hour flight.Â
She stepped off the plane wearing a blue jacket and black trousers, adding a statement necklace to her ensemble. Â
Jordan and Belgium are seeking to boost ties between the two nations.Â
Mathilde's trips follows on from a visit by King Abdullah II and Queen Rania to Belgium in May this year.Â
She will visit humanitarian workers who are tackling the refugee crisis in the country where more than 600,000 people have fled since the outbreak of conflict in Syria.Â
The royal will also reunite with Queen Rania, who she spent time with during the Jordanian visit to Belgium earlier this year.Â
She has met with Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Amman and was accompanied on the visit by Belgium's International development minister Alexander De Croo Queen Mathilde.Â
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