National Day in Belgium The monarchy, "cement" of the Belgians

Belgium is celebrating in style its national day and the ten-year reign of King Albert II. Added to the traditional Te Deum, military parade, and fireworks this year are numerous popular festivities in which the entire royal family is taking part. At a time when separatist demands are becoming increasingly vocal, the King and his relatives unquestionably stand out as symbols of Belgian unity. Brussels is experiencing days that couldn't be more royal. Concerts, popular ball, roller parade, bike parade, motorcycle parade, street entertainment... Belgium has pulled out all the stops to celebrate the ten-year reign of King Albert II. Because ten years of reign is something to celebrate, especially for someone who was seen as a "transition King". Upon the death of Baudouin on July 31, 1993, the Belgian people mourned their King. Hundreds of thousands of citizens filed past his remains. The man who, in 1951, acceded to the throne against the backdrop of the Royal Question, had succeeded in reconciling the population with the royal institution. Ten days after his passing, his younger brother Albert took the oath in the Chamber hemicycle, before elected members of parliament and representatives of all constituted bodies. At age 59, Albert II became the sixth King of the Belgians, to the surprise of many observers who expected his eldest child, Prince Philippe, to ascend the throne. Baudouin had indeed made Philippe his designated heir, entrusting him with official missions and providing him with a solid team of collaborators and resources. But at age 33, the young Prince undoubtedly lacked experience. And Albert, first in the line of succession after Baudouin, did not hide his motivation to succeed his late brother. A change of style Albert II's accession to the throne marks a "philosophical" continuity but a break in style with Baudouin. Modeste, bon vivant, fond of speed, simple, humble—there is no shortage of epithets to describe this "transition King" who ultimately left his mark. For if there is one Belgian institution that has not weathered a crisis over these past ten years, it is indeed the monarchy. Recently, the royal family has certainly grown closer to the citizens. In 1999, while the trauma of the Dutroux, dioxin, or Agusta-Dassault scandals was still very much present, the Palace announced the marriage of Prince Philippe and Mathilde. Hundreds of thousands of citizens took part in their "Joyous Entries" into the country's cities. For months, the image of the newlyweds was ubiquitous. The birth of Princess Elisabeth and the marriage of Prince Laurent confirmed the popularity of the royal family. According to recent polls, over 70% of Belgians believe the country should remain a monarchy—a monarchy often presented as the cement of a nation constantly subjected to community tensions. "Is dit Belgisch? C'est du belge!" The Constitution confers restricted political powers on the royal family. Over the course of institutional reforms, the King's political power has continually eroded. But for savvy observers, the monarchy's raison d'être lies elsewhere, in the symbolic, in the emotional. The royal family stands as the symbol of the country's cohesion, of a Belgium united in its diversity. This weekend's festivities reflect that image. Under the slogan "Is dit Belgisch? C'est du belge!", popular events bring together high and low Belgium, demonstrating once again this desire to highlight Belgian national identity and values.