The royal family attended the Belgian National Day Te Deum mass at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula in Brussels on Monday, with Prime Minister Bart De Wever, leader of the N-VA party, also in attendance.
In Belgium, the Catholic Te Deum is celebrated twice a year: on King’s Day, 15 November, and on 21 July for the national holiday. Alongside the Brussels ceremony, celebrations took place in Antwerp and Mons. Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz attended the service at Antwerp’s Cathedral of Our Lady, while Prince Laurent and Princess Claire were present in Mons.
The Brussels celebration began around 10:00. Besides the royal family and the prime minister, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR), Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA), and Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) participated in the event.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are scheduled to visit a public celebration in the Royal Park later in the day. Traditionally, a civil and military parade occurs with the presence of the King, Queen, Princes, and Princesses. This year, the parade will pay tribute to the fifty years of women’s service in the military.
The national holiday will conclude with a performance in the Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels, followed by a fireworks display.
