The Belgian royal couple Philippe (62) and Mathilde (49) continued their visit to Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday with a trip on the Rhine. The couple started the day with a boat trip from St. Goar to Boppard. Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD) and Economics Minister Daniela Schmitt (FDP) presented the picturesque landscape of the Middle Rhine to the couple. There was a lot to see: wooded backdrops, the Loreley and numerous wine-growing regions.

"We are proud of the Rhine Valley," said Dreyer. After all, the Rhine is the best connection between Belgium and Germany. Economics Minister Schmitt explained its economic importance to the royal couple.

"With BASF we are working on innovations and new ship shapes," said Schmitt. These are to be used when the level of the Rhine drops. However, Rhineland-Palatinate continues to rely on a mixed form of transport routes. According to Schmitt, there is also hope for the deepening of the Rhine. The river is set to deepen by around 20 centimeters by 2033.

The royals end their trip with a tour of Koblenz's Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Then Philippe and Mathilde also want to sign the golden book of the city of Koblenz before they go back to Belgium.