They’re celebrating the separation of their country from the Netherlands.
So the Belgian Royal Family were naturally keen to celebrate in style as they attended the festivities in style on Saturday at the Sainte-Gudule Cathedral in Brussels, with the entire clan – led by Queen Mathilde – looking flawlessly turned out to greet their public.
Queen Mathilde, 45, looked the picture of elegant glamour in a scarlet knee-length dress, with a boat neckline which she paired with a striking hat set at a jaunty angle while her teen daughter Princess Elisabeth wore a complementary ensemble with red accents over her whole outfit.
Chic: The Belgian Royal Family were naturally keen to celebrate in style as they attended the festivities in style on Saturday at the Sainte-Gudule Cathedral in Brussels, with the entire clan – led by Queen Mathilde – looking flawlessly
Queen Mathilde was keen to lead her family in style as she was preened to perfection with her blonde tresses swept into an elegant chignon which sat perfectly beneath her hat.
She was joined by her husband King Philippe, 58, and their children Crown Princess Elisabeth, 16, Prince Gabriel, 14, Princess Eleonore, 10, and Prince Emmanuel, 12. The King was dressed in his finery for the event, wearing a navy blue uniform decorated with multiple medals and a purple sash.
Princess Elisabeth looked lovely in a black dress with a colourful floral print overlay, tied at the waist the a red sash. The 16-year-old paired her ensemble with a pair of burgundy heels as she joined her family for the proceedings.
Meanwhile her younger sister Princess Eleanore looked adorable in a a sunshine yellow tea dress, which perfectly matched her golden hair. Princes Gabriel and Emmanuel both looked dapper in their navy suits, with both brothers having a pristine white handkerchief in their pockets.
Lady in red: Queen Mathilde, 45, looked the picture of elegant glamour in a scarlet knee-length dress, with a boat neckline
Saturday 21 July is exactly five years since Philippe, 58, was crowned the seventh king of Belgium with Mathilde, 45, Queen by marriage. Saturday saw the royals celebrate the anniversary with Belgium’s National Day.
It will be a varied programme of festivities, from the Place du Jeu de Balle to Brussels Park, taking in the various districts of Brussels for National Day.
According to the city’s website, there will be a vast amount of activites on to celebrate: ‘Between the Parc de Bruxelles (Warandepark) and the Place Poelaert, numerous activities and free parades will take place, including the military and civil parade, sports courses, concerts, performances, military tanks and aircraft, a police village, a European village’.
The national holiday ends with a fireworks at 11 pm. The spectators are welcome at the Place des Palais. The celebration commemorates the country’s 1831 split from the Netherlands in 1831, alongside the Kingdom’s set up.
Queen Mathilde has been married to King Phillipe of Belgium for 19 years, who ascended the throne following the abdication of his father, King Albert II, on 21 July 2013.
Important event: The Belgian royals were at the event in Brussels in celebration of the country’s national day
Princess Elisabeth is poised to relocate to the UK as she prepares to begin higher education as she has been accepted into a sixth form college in South Wales and will begin her studies this summer.
Elisabeth will study at United World College of the Atlantic (UWC) in St Donats after passing the entry exams required to attend. The princess will be working towards an Internationale Baccalaureate with the aim to complete it by 2020.
The princess, who studied at Saint-Jan Berchmans college in Brussels, had to pass the rigorous entry process including a written essay, group projects and an interview.
Her choice of college already has royal connections having been founded by German Kurt Hahn in 1962 who also opened Gordonstoun boarding school in Scotland which was attended by Prince Charles. Hahn believed his approach to education, for pupils aged 16-19, could lead to a quicker resolution of international conflict, an ethos that is still carried by the establishment which aims to ‘promote mutual understanding’.
Suave: Prince Emmanuel looked dapper in his navy suit, with a pristine white handkerchief in his pocket
Ray of sunshine: Princess Eleanore, ten, looked adorable in a a sunshine yellow tea dress, which perfectly matched her golden hair