Rome, Italy; Brussels, Belgium

On Wednesday 27 June 2018, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the President, Professor Nichi D’Amico, visited the National Institute for Astrophysics and received a briefing on co-operative efforts between Italy and Australia on the development of the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove were welcomed to the Kingdom of Belgium by His Excellency Mr Justin Brown PSM, Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, European Union and NATO Madame Sophie Wilmès, Federal Minister for the Budget and National Lottery, at Brussels International Airport.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, the King and the Queen of the Belgians, attended a Ceremonial Welcome at the Royal Palace, Brussels.

In the evening, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, attended a State Banquet, at the Royal Castle of Laeken, Brussels.