Belgium: National Day and 10-year reign for Albert II

A large number of festivities will be organized on July 20 and 21 in Belgium on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of King Albert II's reign and Belgian National Day. On Saturday, the Belgian Royal Family will split their duties, as Crown Prince Philippe will travel to Namur, while the King and Prince Laurent will be present in Brussels, but at different locations to attend various concerts. Royal Family in full force This July 20, 450 police officers will be present at various sites. A roller parade will parade in the upper part of the city, departing at 11:30 a.m. from Place Schuman and dispersing at 2:00 p.m. on Avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée. There will also be a bicycle parade in the city center (departing at 11:00 a.m. from Rue Ducale). The motorcycle parade will start at 2:00 p.m. from Boulevard du Centenaire (dispersal around 3:00 p.m. in Rue Belliard). During the afternoon, the Cirque du Trottoir will be present on Square Breughel. In the evening, from 7:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., a public ball will take place on Place du Jeu de Balle. On July 21, National Day, the entire royal family will attend the parade. The parade will take place from 1:20 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. between Rue de la Loi and Place des Palais. On July 21 at 5:00 p.m., Princess Astrid and her family will encourage the volunteers of the Belgian Red Cross, which will mark National Day with a strong presence. A major preventive emergency system will be set up, including 8 first aid posts. On July 21, 650 police officers will be mobilized to supervise the various events. The Belgian National Railway Company (SNCB) has decided to run seven night trains departing from Brussels during the night of July 21 to 22, to facilitate the safe return home of spectators who attended the fireworks display in honor of King Albert II, who is celebrating ten years of reign this year. While the Champs-Élysées suffered after the passage of Leclerc tanks on July 14, it was decided that heavy military equipment will not parade on Place des Palais next Monday due to subsidence on Rue de la Loi, where the military parade is due to pass.