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The Belgian national holiday brought together last Monday, royal family and citizens around a military parade and fireworks, between unit and tradition.
This Monday, July 21, Belgium celebrated its national holiday, an annual meeting where military aid, national unit and royal presence intertwine in a very codified staging. King Philippe, surrounded by Queen Mathilde and their four children, Princess Elisabeth, 23, Prince Gabriel, 21, Prince Emmanuel, 19, and Princess Eleonore, 17, took part in the ceremonies that traditionally punctuate this emblematic day. The elder, heiress of the throne and future chef of the armies, notably wore the uniform of the second -class vessel, a reflection of his training in progress within the navy.
The day started with a religious ceremony at the Saints-Michel-et-Gudule cathedral, where the royal couple and their descendants attended the Te Deum (Catholic religious song of praise), solemn tribute to the nation. In the afternoon, all eyes turned to the center of Brussels for the traditional military and civil parade, the flagship moment of the commemorations preceded by an inspection of the troops aboard a convertible military vehicle sporting the number 1, attributed to the Head of State and marked by the four stars of King Philippe.
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An army in search of visibility
Nearly 1,500 soldiers paraded for the occasion. After this show of force, the royal family continued the festivities in public space: walks, meetings with citizens, presence in the city center parks. And to close this celebration day, all joined the crowd gathered at the Cinquantenaire Park to attend the fireworks, the end of a republican-monarchical ceremonial which, year after year, continues to act as national cement.
