The king and queen of the Belgians acknowledge the crowds as they arrive for the Te Deum
The queen was in green with a rust coloured pill box and the soon to be queen in cream with pastel accessories. The royal family was cheered into the Cathedral of St Michel and St Gudule ahead of the ceremony and in a touching moment, Crown Prince Philippe bowed for a last time to his aunt, Queen Dowager Fabiola, before following her through the church. Next time they are all together, he will lead the procession.
They start the day as Duke and Duchess of Brabant and will end it as King and Queen of the Belgians. Philippe and Mathilde arrive for the Te Deum that traditionally begins the National Day.
The rays of the sun fell through the church windows as the ceremony started, lighting on the face of Albert II as more applause followed. And then as the ceremony progressed, the sun moved round and left the outgoing king and queen in the shadows, briefly falling on the king in waiting before resting on the figure of his consort, Mathilde.
The rays of the sun passed from the outgoing king to his heir as the ceremony progressed
The whole family left to more cheers and they are now on their way to the Royal Palace where Albert will abdicate at 10.30am, Brussels time.
A message for Albert - crowds greet the king and queen of the Belgians at the Cathedral of St Michel and St Gudule at the start of Abdication Day
And both French and Flemish TV channels are focussing on the future not the past, headlining their coverage as Roi Philippe or Koning Filip. The change is under way.
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