King Philippe leads commemorations - World War One 1914 - 2014

The King of the Belgians has led the first of several commemorations taking part in his country to mark the centenary of the start of World War One.  On August 3rd 2014, the 100th anniversary of the declaration of war on France by the German Empire, the king visited Thimister to pay tribute to Antoine-Adolphe Fonck who was the first Belgian solder killed in World War One.  He died on August 4th 1914, the day that Germany declared war on Belgium.  King Philippe laid a wreath in memory of Cavalier Fonck who died on a calm August day in 1914 when no one could ever imagine the millions who would follow him to their deaths in the next four years.

King Philippe of the Belgians remembers Antoine-Adolphe Fonck who died in August 4th 2014 - the first Belgian to die in World War One

On August 3rd 2014, King Philippe also took part in a ceremony at the Fort Loncin which is near Liege and which was one of the last forts near the city to be bombarded as World War One started.  It is now a war grave after hundreds died inside it when it was bombed.  

King Philippe of the Belgians pays tribute at the Fort Loncin on August 3rd 2014

The fort has been a symbol of remembrance for a hundred years and to mark this centenary it has been named a national Necropolis.  

King Philippe of the Belgians at Fort Loncin on August 3rd 2014

The king will lead commemorations on August 4th 2014 as around fifty heads of state gather in Liege to mark the war's centenary.