Belgian abdication in pictures

About half way through the festivities and time for a look at some of the best photos so far of the accession of King Philippe following the abdication of King Albert II.

 

Albert II and Paola wave goodbye after the Te Deum that began the day's proceedings in Brussels

 

 

The king signs away his crown watched by the Belgian Prime Minister, Elio di Rupo

 

 

The abdication of the King of the Belgians, Saturday July 21st 2013, Palais Royale, Brussels

 

 

Two kings together - father and son

 

 

Philippe is sworn in as King of the Belgians

 

 

The Belgian royal family - past, present and future - at the swearing in

 

 

Eleonore, Gabriel, Elisabeth and Emmanuel watch their father become king

 

 

The king presents his queen to the people of Belgium

 

 

A new royal family for Belgium, July 21st 2013

 

 The official portrait of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians

 

All the kings and queens of Belgium in a photo called Rois et Reines by the Royal Household when it released the official portraits to mark the beginning of Philippe and Mathilde's reign

 

Photos from the Belgian Royal Household website and Belga Pictures

Kings, queens and kisses

His father's last act as king was to send a big kiss to his queen consort.  And as Philippe took over from Albert II as king of the Belgians, his first act was to plant a kiss on the cheek of his own consort, Mathilde.  She returned the gesture and for a moment it looked like they might even give us the first coronation on the lips smacker.  But they resisted and waved instead.  Belgium's abdication and accession has proved to be a royal romance.

 

A kiss for his queen - Mathilde and Philippe greet the crowds at the Place des Palais in Brussels less than an hour after his formal accession as King of the Belgians