An investigation by the English newspaper "The Guardian" into the financial wealth of the British royal family has led some to question where the Belgian monarchy gets its money and how much it costs its citizens.
The answer is "quite simple," according to historian Vincent Dujardin, a specialist in monarchy at UCLouvain.
Indeed, the means that the Belgian State makes available to the King in the exercise of his role as monarch are established by "The Civil List." From staff, travel and fleet: everything is covered by this famous list.
"It is not a salary, nor an income, it is simply an amount that is made available to the King to exercise his mission as head of state," Dujardin told RTBF. According to Article 89 of the Constitution, this list is fixed for the entire duration of the monarch’s reign and is not affected by indexation. "Once it is granted, we no longer touch it," he said. In 2013, the Civil List was set at €11,554.
No more controversies or discussions
It should be noted that since 2013, the Civil List has also been subject to VAT and excise duties. That year, the government of then-Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo undertook a reform of the system of endowments for members of the royal family. This reform has made it possible "to clarify things," said Dujardin.
This reform on endowments also stipulates that members of the Royal Family must submit their expenses to the Court of Auditors.
It has also had a rather positive effect on the monarchy, given that it is now more transparent than ever, he said. "Since the reform, there have been no more controversies or even discussions on this subject in Belgium. While in other Royal Families, this remains a sensitive subject."
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The Civil List does not concern the private property of the Royal Family. But these goods would ultimately remain few compared to those of British royalty – even if there are no official figures. "The fortune of the Belgian royal family is limited and is, basically, the fruit of the legacy of Albert I," said Dujardin.
The situations are therefore very different between the two Kingdoms, he said. "In Belgium, the Royal Family does not have the same fortune at all as the British royal family – which is obviously a very old family. We also have a balanced and transparent staffing system, which has helped to extinguish any discussion on the subject."
