Belgium

The childhood photo album of King Philippe of the Belgians

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

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

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

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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Belgium

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde see double at celebration of important anniversary

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde have visited the Belgian Senate to unveil a tribute for His Majesty’s 10th anniversary as Monarch: a set of two new busts. Their Majesties arrived in the Senate’s Palace on the afternoon of 5th July 2023, and were welcomed by local authorities, before being escorted to the Green Hall. There, they were presented with two new busts made of them by…
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