The little nation of Belgium, which is a part of Western Europe, is governed by a constitutional monarchy. Since Belgium’s independence from the Dutch in 1831, there has been a monarchy in place there. We’ll look more closely at the Belgian monarchy in this blog post, including its past, present, and future.
History of the Belgian Monarchy
Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was chosen to be the first king of the Belgians in 1831, establishing the Belgian monarchy. After a time of upheaval and revolution, the new nation had just achieved its independence from the Netherlands, and the monarchy was established to give it stability and legitimacy.
The Belgian monarchy has experienced some difficulties over the years, including a period of political unrest in the 1990s when the monarchy’s function was under discussion. Nonetheless, it was able to hold onto its position and is today a significant national unification symbol.
Role of the Belgian Monarchy
Because the Belgian monarchy is a constitutional monarchy, the king or queen only has a few formal authority positions and is not a political figurehead. The government is in charge of leading the country; the king or queen has no executive authority.
The monarchy’s function is mostly symbolic, and the king or queen represents the nation during ceremonies and official occasions. Also, they have the authority to nominate judges and other officials, but only with the approval of the government.
Current Status of the Belgian Monarchy
King Philippe, the son of King Albert II and Queen Paola, currently serves as the head of the Belgian Royal Family. Once his father, King Albert II, abdicated in 2013, he took the kingdom. The majority of King Philippe’s duties are ceremonial, and he represents Belgium both at home and abroad.
The Belgian monarchy continues to be a significant institution in the nation despite its restricted authority. It serves as a reminder of the nation’s past and a symbol of national solidarity. In addition to representing Belgium on the international scene, Belgium’s monarchy is crucial in promoting Belgian culture and tradition.
The Royal Family of Belgium
King Philippe
King Philippe was born on April 15, 1960, and after his father, King Albert II, abdicated the crown on July 21, 2013, he took the throne. Philippe had several official roles prior to becoming the Belgian king, including that of the honorary head of the Belgian Foreign Trade Board and lieutenant colonel in the Belgian Army.
The four children of Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde are
- Princess Elisabeth
- Prince Gabriel
- Prince Emmanuel
- Princess Eléonore.
Philippe represents Belgium locally and abroad in his capacity as king, which is primarily ceremonial.
Queen Mathilde
On January 20, 1973, Queen Mathilde was born in Uccle, Brussels. She worked as a speech therapist and volunteered for several charities before becoming queen. She is renowned for her work as an advocate for causes like mental health, education, and poverty.
King Philippe and Mathilde had four kids together after their wedding in 1999. As queen, Mathilde supports numerous cultural institutions and is active in a number of humanitarian causes.
Princess Elisabeth
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s oldest child, Princess Elisabeth, was born on October 25, 2001. She is the Duchess of Brabant, the future queen of Belgium, and the heir to the throne.
The Crown Princess is presently pursuing her education at the Royal Military College in Brussels, where she is preparing to join the Belgian Army as an officer. She participates in a variety of cultural and charitable endeavors and has represented Belgium at numerous international gatherings.
Prince Gabriel
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde had their second child, Prince Gabriel, on August 20, 2003. He is currently a student at Sint-Jan Berchmans College in Brussels.
Prince Gabriel takes part in many humanitarian and cultural endeavors, just like his older sister, and has represented Belgium at international gatherings.
Prince Emmanuel
On October 4, 2005, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde welcomed their third child to the world, Prince Emmanuel. He is a student at the Kessel-Lo Eureka School right now.
Prince Emmanuel participates in a variety of charity and cultural endeavors, just like his older siblings, and has represented Belgium at international gatherings.
Princess Eléonore
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s youngest child, Princess Eléonore, was born on April 16, 2008. She is a student at Sint-Jan Berchmans College in Brussels right now.
Princess Eléonore, despite her youth, has already participated in a number of humanitarian and cultural endeavors and has accompanied her parents on official trips overseas.
The Royal Palace
The official residence of the Belgian royal family is the Royal Palace of Brussels, which is situated in the heart of the city. The palace was initially constructed in the late 18th century as a wealthy banker’s city residence, but it was later purchased by the Belgian state and transformed into a royal palace.
During the summer, the palace is accessible to the public and definitely one of the most visited Belgian landmarks. It is also used for important state events including receptions and state visits. The palace welcomes guests to see and admire its numerous treasures, which include furniture, tapestries, and works of art.
The offices of the king, queen, and other royal family members are also located within the palace. There are numerous elaborate chambers and salons within, in addition to a large reception hall and throne room.
Beautiful grounds surround the palace, and throughout the summer they are accessible to the general public. Together with a variety of fountains, sculptures, and well-kept lawns, the gardens also house an assortment of rare trees and plants.
The Royal Palace of Brussels is a significant representation of Belgian history and culture overall. It is a magnificent example of neoclassical architecture and a symbol of the nation’s rich history.
