BelgiumSpain

Queen Sofía joins King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI's funeral

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5th January 2023
Queen Sofía of Spain has traveled to Vatican City to attend the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.  Her Majesty arrived in the Italian capital on Wednesday, 4th January – the eve of the day of the funeral – and immediately visited St Peter’s Basilica, where she attended the wake for the former Pontif.  In St Peter’s, the former Queen of Spain was welcomed by the…
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Belgium

King Philippe of Belgium condemns 'cruel and senseless' war in Ukraine in his annual Christmas Even broadcast

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24th December 2022
The King of the Belgians has used his annual Christmas Eve speech to condemn the ‘cruel and senseless’ war in Ukraine, as the conflict is set to carry on into 2023. In his address to the nation, His Majesty said that the people of Ukraine are fighting for their freedom and security, as did their ancestors in conflict of the past. He went on to thank the citizens of Belgium who…
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Belgium

The historic background of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels - setting for many royal weddings

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29th November 2022
In September, Princess Maria Laura of Belgium married William Isvy at the historic Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels, with the whole Belgian Royal Family in attendance. It was just the latest royal wedding in Belgium to be held in the famous venue. The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula was built in the Brabantine Gothic style and is dedicated to both of the patron…
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Belgium

The monarch's role in Belgium

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14th November 2022
Like many modern-day monarchic countries, the role of the sovereign in Belgium is largely ceremonial today. The King does not have political powers in that he doesn’t get to decide which laws get discussed in Parliament nor which issues are put at the forefront of…
BelgiumEuropean Royals

Belgian princess supports climate activists attacking art

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8th November 2022
A Belgian princess has thrown her support behind oil protestors who throw materials on paintings in the name of activism, calling it “civil disobedience” in a new interview. Princess Esméralda, the half-aunt of King Philippe, spoke about last month’s Just No Oil protests that saw a Van Gogh painting smeared with soup and a wax figure of King Charles covered in chocolate cake. On the…
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