Belgian royals celebrate National Day

The Belgian royals celebrated National Day, which kicked off with the traditional Te Deum service.

Belgium’s National Day is celebrated on 21 July, the date on which its first King, Leopold I, took the constitutional oath in 1831.

Ahead of National Day, King Philippe made a speech, addressing the recent heatwave. He said, “We have all suffered, but it is the most vulnerable who are once again paying the heaviest price: the elderly, people in precarious living conditions, those who are completely alone.”

Photo: Palais royal/Koninklijk Paleis

The Te Deum service took place at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula and was attended by King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, their children and various dignitaries. Prince Gabriel made his first appearance in a military uniform, and he wore the grand cordon of the Order of Leopold, the highest and oldest rank of chivalry in Belgium, which had been presented to him the day before by his father.

Later that day, the extended royal family joined the King and his family for a military parade and review in front of the Royal Palace in Brussels. The parade concluded with a flypast.

Photo: Palais royal/Koninklijk Paleis

Following the military parade, the royal family joined the Resto National at the Vossenplein, the traditional mussels-and-fries festival.

The day ended with a laser and drone show and fireworks in the Jubelpark.