by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2024
The swearing-in of Leopold I, King of the Belgians by Gustave Wappers (1831); Credit – Wikipedia
In August 1830, the southern provinces (modern-day Belgium) of the Netherlands rebelled against Dutch rule. International powers meeting in London agreed to support Belgian independence, even though the Dutch refused to recognize the new country. On April 22, 1831, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (the uncle of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert) was asked by the Belgian National Congress if he wanted to be King of the Belgians and he accepted.
On July 21, 1831, Leopold swore allegiance to the new Belgian constitution and was invested as the first King of the Belgians on the steps of the Royal Palace in Brussels. Belgian National Day was originally celebrated on September 27, the date in 1830 that the Dutch forces were expelled from Brussels during the Belgian Revolution‘s “September Days”. In 1890, Belgian National Day was changed to July 21, marking the anniversary of the investiture of Leopold I as the first King of the Belgians in 1831.
What happens on Belgian National Day?
Celebrations occur throughout Belgium starting with church services where the Te Deum hymn is sung and people pray for the Belgian monarch. The service ends with the singing of the national anthem, La Brabançonne. Local communities have flea markets, public concerts, and other celebrations, and Belgian flags are displayed in shops and homes.
2023 – The Belgian Royal Family on the steps of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula where the Te Deum service was held. Left to Right: Prince Emmanuel, Princess Elisabeth, Queen Mathilde, King Philippe, King Albert, Queen Paola, Prince Gabriel, and Princess Eleonore
The main celebrations occur in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. In the morning, the Belgian royal family along with representatives from Belgium’s political institutions, foreign ambassadors, and representatives of European institutions attend a Te Deum, a religious service of blessing and thanks, at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels.
The Belgian Royal Family watching the military parade in 2023
Later in the afternoon, the Belgian monarch reviews the Belgian Armed Forces and police who parade on the streets around the perimeter of Brussels Park, in front of the Royal Palace. Military groups from the European Union and Belgium’s NATO allies have also participated.
People eat mussels and Belgian fries while listening to live music in Brussels Park during the Belgian National Day in 2023.
In Brussels Park, the public can enjoy refreshments and view displays by Belgium’s public and emergency services, armed forces, charities, and civic associations.
The flypast making the Belgian tricolor in 2018; Credit – Door Me, Anonymous – Eigen werk, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71076343
There is a flypast by the Belgian Air Force.
King Philippe made his 2019 National Day Speech in front of a portrait of Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians.
The Belgian monarch makes a televised speech.
Fireworks during the 2023 Belgian National Day
In the evening, there is a concert and a fireworks display.
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Works Cited
- Important Dates. The Belgian Monarchy. (n.d.). https://www.monarchie.be/en/monarchy/events-linked-monarchy
- Wikimedia Foundation. (2024). Belgian National Day. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_National_Day
- Wikimedia Foundation. (2024). Fête Nationale Belge. Wikipedia. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%AAte_nationale_belge
- Wikimedia Foundation. (2024). Nationale Feestdag van België. Wikipedia. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationale_feestdag_van_Belgi%C3%AB