Albert II: The 10 "event" photos of a truly royal celebration > PP. 2 AND 3 Huge crowd success: Albert II celebrated his 10-year reign with his family and his subjects

The highlight of the festivities was undoubtedly the moment when the King and Queen took the stage at the concert on place Poelaert. "The King addressed the public to thank them. It was the first time the King addressed the spectators live. The Queen kissed him very spontaneously. A great moment of emotion," says Olivier Alsteens, the organizer of the celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the reign of Albert II and Paola. Nearly 100,000 people at the July 21st parade and at the activities near the Royal Palace, 45,000 spectators at the concert in the evening on place Poelaert, 14,000 people at the popular ball on Sunday evening on place du Jeu de balle, 10,000 participants in the MotorBike parade organized by the MotorCycle council at the Atomium, 1,100 cyclists for the bike ride with Prince Philippe, 600 participants in the roller ride with Prince Laurent: Belgians took part very broadly in the festivities. No accidents "The outcome is very satisfying. There were no fights or accidents. Which is exceptional given the crowd gathered downtown. The atmosphere was excellent. People were very happy to be there, whatever the activities. The whole royal family played along and participated. That was the goal of these festivities: to make it a great popular celebration rather than official ceremonies," declares Olivier Alsteens. Our sovereigns were reportedly delighted by these two days of celebration. : in brief TEN SNAPSHOTS UNDER THE MAGNIFYING GLASS ■ 1. Thanks from the King Exceptionally, the King addressed the organizers and spectators of the show on place Poelaert directly to thank them. ■ 2. The cow gift Albert II laughed a lot upon discovering his gift, as cumbersome as it was original: a life-sized polyester cow decorated in the colors of Belgium by Vincent Strebelle and Philippe Lebeau. It appears the King decided to let his cow graze in the park of Laeken, near the main gate so that everyone can admire it. ■ 3. Hats off, Mathilde! Mathilde wore a hat as spectacular as her pretty round belly during the parade. A parade during which she chatted at length with Queen Fabiola. ■ 4. Phenomenal success For Laurent and Claire at the popular ball in the Marolles. The short sentence in the King's speech about his "family growing rapidly", the cane-chair Laurent equipped himself with at the garden party, and the fact that the newlyweds did not dance at the ball fueled rumors of Princess Claire's pregnancy. ■ 5. Complicity between father and son Refuting allegations in the Flemish press that Albert II was on bad terms with Prince Philippe, father and son displayed clear complicity during the July 21st celebrations. During the military parade and the concert on place Poelaert, Albert and Philippe exchanged visibly enthusiastic comments about the show. ■ 6. Laurent on a scooter Dressed in incredible crushed-strawberry colored trousers, Prince Laurent gave the start of the roller parade... on a scooter. On the applause meter, Prince Laurent remains the most popular of the royal children. ■ 7. Royal kiss As moving as it was unexpected, this tender kiss given by Queen Paola to the King to wish him a happy anniversary. ■ 8. Incredible walkabout Bystanders could not believe their eyes on Monday afternoon when the King, the Queen, and the Prime Minister took a walk among the attractions of the Royal Park. They took a walkabout of nearly two hours in an indescribable crowd. ■ 9. Grandiose fireworks Above the Place des Palais to close these two exceptional days of celebration at midnight, for both the royal family and the population. ■ 10. On a bicycle... And without Mathilde, excused due to pregnancy, Prince Philippe paraded on an 8.5 km route in the streets of Brussels in the company of a thousand cycling enthusiasts.