Belgium

A Queen for Belgium? New survey shows strong support for heir Elisabeth to take the throne young

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20th July 2023
Recent polling in Belgium suggests that a majority of people believe that Princess Elisabeth should succeed her father in the next 10 years. A survey commissioned by top Belgian media outlets—including HLN, VTM NEWS, RTL and Le Soir—polled people on their thoughts about the various members of the Belgian Royal Family, and 43% believe that the Duchess of Brabant should succeed King Philippe…
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Belgium

The childhood photo album of King Philippe of the Belgians

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20th July 2023
King Philippe of the Belgians is marking ten years of rule this July. However, when he was born, in 1960, there was little expectation that he would ever become monarch. The first child of Albert and Paola, then Prince and Princess of Liege, he was third in line to a throne held by his uncle, Baudouin, who fully expected to have a family of his own. However, King Baudouin and his wife, Queen…
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Belgium

The day Philippe became King of the Belgians

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20th July 2023
As King Philippe celebrates ten years on the throne, we look back at the day he became King of the Belgians, July 21st 2013. Prince Philippe was born 15 April 1960, the eldest son of Prince Albert and Princess Paola in the reign of his uncle, King Baudouin. Albert…
Belgium

Mathilde, the discreet Queen setting a new template for consorts

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19th July 2023
King Philippe of Belgium is celebrating ten years on the throne after his father’s abdication in 2013. And throughout the first decade of his reign, his wife, Queen Mathilde, has been by his side. The Queen may not be the most outgoing consort in Europe, but she is a crucial asset for the Belgian Royal Family. King Philippe ascended the throne in 2013, as did King Willem-Alexander of the…
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Belgium

Brussels museums honour King Philippe for special anniversary

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18th July 2023
Museums in Brussels are honouring King Philippe’s ten years on the throne this week by offering free admission to visitors. From Friday, 21 July (the tenth anniversary of the King’s accession to the throne) through Sunday, 23 July, several museums in the Belgian capital will have free admission. The State Secretary for Recovery and Strategic Investment, Thomas Dermine, announced…
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