King Philippe takes charge

Last year, his appearance at ceremonies to mark his country's national fete were a shared experience with the king from whom he took over on the very same day.  On July 21st 2014, King Philippe of the Belgians is in charge of the traditional events - and looking it.  After a year on the throne, this monarch has made the role his own.

A confident king leads his royal family on his country's special day

Philippe led the royals for the whole of the national day celebrations for the first time and the two days of events have been a success.  It started with a speech to his fellow citizens recorded at the Royal Palace in Brussels and in which the new king was seen standing in front of the famous portrait of the man who founded the modern Belgian monarchy, Leopold I.  And then on the eve of the big celebrations, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended a concert and dancing in Brussels - traditional occasions that get the national party started.

Thousands of people joined King Philippe and Queen Mathilde for a pre party party in Brussels on July 20th 2014

But July 21st was the big day - for the king and for Belgium.  The country always marks its national day then - it's the day that Leopold I was crowned in 1831.  And it is now the anniversary of the start of the reign of his latest successor.  Things looked very different in 2014 than they had done a year before.  Then, Philippe and Mathilde had arrived for the traditional church service, the Te Deum, as Duke and Duchess of Brabant - Philippe still an heir, if only for a few hours more.  They had taken second place to King Albert II, about to sign away his crown, and Queen Paola and had been joined at church by Queen Fabiola.  Today, it was King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the head of the procession with their four children following behind. The old king wasn't there - he is still recovering from an operation less than a fortnight ago.  This was Belgium's new king with his new Royal Family.  And suddenly, it became clear how much has changed.

All eyes on the new king - Philippe and his royal family take centre stage

The abdication of Albert II was a surprise and happened quickly.  His heir had always been the quiet man of European royalty.  And if at some points in the year that followed the emotional abdication and the serious oath taking that led to the crown changing hands it had seemed that Philippe was still getting used to being a king, those moments quickly passed.  He has asserted his authority over the royal family and played a visible role in the work still going on to form a new government in his country.  And he has tried to bring people together through common causes - some may have wondered whether it was too light hearted but his decision to throw his whole hearted support behind the Belgian football team in the World Cup has had an impact.  The prince who sometimes fell into the shadows is now a monarch happy to be in the spotlight.

King Philippe greets the crowds waiting outside the cathedral in Brussels to meet their monarch

A year ago, Philippe had overseen the military parade that marks national day as his first act of kingship.  But the newness of the change was still palpable and there were other parts of a momentous day still to complete.  Today, the king made a grand entrance to the parade with his sister and brother waiting on a secondary dais and the main platform occupied by the children of Philippe and Mathilde, all of them anticipating the arrival of a monarch beginning year two of his reign.  There were no more shadows for Philippe - he took his place and took control.  Pretty much as he has throughout this first year of his kingship.  The quiet man of European royalty is really now a force to be reckoned with.

Veterans salute the new king - Philippe takes charge on Belgium's national day - the first anniversary of his accession to the throne