Belgian National Day - 21 July, 1: 2009-2022

[JR76]

One shouldn't speculate and I know the forum rules doesn't allow us to do so, so I won't say anything more than that I don't think the Prince is very well. We might consider him a brute and buffon, but he had a rough start in life that would leave its mark on anybody.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Then he should simply withdraw from public life as if I were a Belgian taxpayer watching Laurent I'd be very vexed and surely the palace must be alarmed at the damage his appearances like this cause to the image of the monarchy.

Whilst the matching column of Belgian Lancers is impressive I find the mix of people carriers and the modern motorcade does not work very well and perhaps the minibus monarchy could use some of their vintage cars or carriages as an alternative on National Day?

 

[JR76]

Then he should simply withdraw from public life as if I were a Belgian taxpayer watching Laurent I'd be very vexed and surely the palace must be alarmed at the damage his appearances like this cause to the image of the monarchy.

He might not realise that he's doing something wrong. As we've seen he's displayed a lot of erratic behaviour during the last few years and his sense of proportions seem a bit flawed... That thing about Holocaust victims was a right plonker wasn't it

 

[An Ard Ri]

There are plenty of palace officials and advisers to the king who must be aware of his damaging behavior and surely they all can't have their heads in the sand like the rest of the BRF?

 

[leidi]

There are plenty of palace officials and advisers to the king who must be aware of his damaging behavior and surely they all can't have their heads in the sand like the rest of the BRF?

Maybe Philippe feels like Laurent would go off on the press if his allowance is cut or if he's not invited to these acts anymore (even if he's not interested)?

That's the problem with a loose cannon, you just never know what you're going to get.

Thankfully, Philippe's own children are growing up and soon enough they'll take the spotlight and Laurent could be "shown aside" by his nieces and nephews.

 

[An Ard Ri]

The sooner the better as this annual charade has become painful to watch

 

[Marchesina]

Whilst the matching column of Belgian Lancers is impressive I find the mix of people carriers and the modern motorcade does not work very well and perhaps the minibus monarchy could use some of their vintage cars or carriages as an alternative on National Day?

I absolutely agree. Having the horses escorting a modern car is displeasing for the eye. They have carriages exposed in the royal mews of the palace, they could renovate them and add bullet-proof glasses. But I know this won't happen...while the Belgian people could potentially love that, the politicians could turn it against the royal family. Even though they should be the last allowed to cast their stones...

 

[Mbruno]

Then he should simply withdraw from public life as if I were a Belgian taxpayer watching Laurent I'd be very vexed and surely the palace must be alarmed at the damage his appearances like this cause to the image of the monarchy.

Whilst the matching column of Belgian Lancers is impressive I find the mix of people carriers and the modern motorcade does not work very well and perhaps the minibus monarchy could use some of their vintage cars or carriages as an alternative on National Day?

The old horse-drawn carriages are still kept at the Royal Mews. I believe you can actually see them ( please correct me if I am wrong), but they haven’t been used since the reign of King Baudouin. They were used by Albert I /Elisabeth and Léopold IIII/Astrid.

Given that motor cars seem to be politically incorrect these days because of environmental concerns, maybe they could go back to the horse-drawn carriages.

 

[An Ard Ri]

I believe the Belgian Monarchy have quite a few of these but are housed as museum pieces but would look so much better if used on National Day or a royal Wedding rather than those awful people carriers.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...a/Laken_carriage.jpg/320px-Laken_carriage.jpg

 

[Marchesina]

I believe the Belgian Monarchy have quite a few of these but are housed as museum pieces but would look so much better if used on National Day or a royal Wedding rather than those awful people carriers.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...a/Laken_carriage.jpg/320px-Laken_carriage.jpg

Yes, three of them are exhibited (or at least were a few years ago) at the royal stables in Laeken, they were regularly used till Leopold III's reign, with the war - and eventually the new king - everything changed.
But I agree, they could be brought back to life for special occasions like weddings or National Days.

 

[tommy100]

In regards to Laurent, yes his behaviour seems rude and disrespectful, but I suspect Philippe and his staff know that uninviting him would cause a bigger issue, as it stands he isn't even on the main dais with the King Queen and their children. A few comments on places like here and a few sidebars on news websites may be deemed a better price to pay than having Laurent go off on one to the press (better for both the monarchy and Laurent himself)

On a side note, I always thought it was Astrid who kept the family together somewhat, a bridge between parents and siblings.

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

In regards to Laurent, yes his behaviour seems rude and disrespectful, but I suspect Philippe and his staff know that uninviting him would cause a bigger issue, as it stands he isn't even on the main dais with the King Queen and their children. A few comments on places like here and a few sidebars on news websites may be deemed a better price to pay than having Laurent go off on one to the press (better for both the monarchy and Laurent himself)

On a side note, I always thought it was Astrid who kept the family together somewhat, a bridge between parents and siblings.

I agree with this. It would just be better for Laurent to keep his mouth shut on all grounds, though if some actions have to be taken this seems like the best option. Laurent would no-doubt pull a big "poor little me" tantrum in public if he found out he had been uninvited.

 

[Al_bina]

Nothing compares to Carabinieri and Corazzieri tbh there are even certain physical standards to respect in order to be recruited. Bersaglieri have a camouflage suit and alpini sometimes show up in their snowing uniform lol. Enough OT, I heard the commentator say that in the late 60s (if I understood correctly) the idea was to dismantle the horse guards and substitute them with guards on motorcycle and they mentioned king Baudouin. ... [snipped]

Bersaglieri are said to be the coolest and most effective part of the Italian military.

 

[Marchesina]

I agree with this. It would just be better for Laurent to keep his mouth shut on all grounds, though if some actions have to be taken this seems like the best option. Laurent would no-doubt pull a big "poor little me" tantrum in public if he found out he had been uninvited.

Not just him. Apparently, somehow, he is still very popular and loved by the Belgians. Maybe his behaviour makes him approachable and relatable.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Then he should simply withdraw from public life as if I were a Belgian taxpayer watching Laurent I'd be very vexed and surely the palace must be alarmed at the damage his appearances like this cause to the image of the monarchy.

Whilst the matching column of Belgian Lancers is impressive I find the mix of people carriers and the modern motorcade does not work very well and perhaps the minibus monarchy could use some of their vintage cars or carriages as an alternative on National Day?

Het Koninklijk Escorte (with the lances) certainly is impressive. They deserve fresh new equipment and uniforms. After all they are the introduction card of the Belgian state. Any high guest is inspecting these guards and then one would want to show all in full glanz und gloria.

The strange thing: on the 14th Prime Minister Michel was in Paris. He must have seen the difference between parades in Paris and Brussels. And there is no need for that. Just a task force "Ceremonial & Protocol of State" and bring it all back in a state which does justice Belgium and the Belgian monarchy.

Not just him. Apparently, somehow, he is still very popular and loved by the Belgians. Maybe his behaviour makes him approachable and relatable.

He was very popular. Un gentil homme, a big heart for animals, etc. But these days the image of the Prince is not what it was 20 years ago. Read the comments in media, open sewers are flooded on Laurent. But he really does it all by himself. The goodwill which was there for him has eroded, especially in Flanders (which foods the bill).

 

[leidi]

The sequence HERE , Claire was clearly embarrassed, that last picture is VERY telling

 

[JR76]

The sequence HERE , Claire was clearly embarrassed, that last picture is VERY telling

Been laughing for minutes. I don't know if any of you know the cartoon La Linea, but I can definitely hear his voice to Claire's expression in that last pic [emoji1787]

 

[Mbruno]

The sequence HERE , Claire was clearly embarrassed, that last picture is VERY telling

The mobile phone incident is quite irrelevant in my opinion. Refusing to shake hands with the members of the government and effectively turning his back on them is far more serious.



I understand that Laurent is resentful of the politicians for having cut his dotation, but this time he went too far.

 

[An Ard Ri]

He seems to be very resentful towards a lot of people and possibly time he dealt with his issues instead of his rude spoilt brat routine which has become stale.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

The sequence HERE , Claire was clearly embarrassed, that last picture is VERY telling

Also that image with sunglasses is very maffioso, I am sorry to say.
A forage cap (as is the name for that military hat) has exactly that "roof" above the eyebrows to give shade. No need to wear dark glasses.

 

[tommy100]

LOL, even the Fail has the story

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/...-phone-Belgian-National-Day-celebrations.html

Prince Laurent of Belgium was pictured talking and playing on his phone during the countries national anthem, on Sunday.

The royal, 55, the younger brother of King Philippe, took out his phone and even appeared to take a call during an event to celebrate the countries independence - much to the disapproval of his wife and brother.

He was joined by Princess Claire of Belgium, who looked horrified that he was on the phone - and later touched him on the arm giving him stern looks, in order to end the call.

The couple, who were sat on gold plated chairs, throughout the ceremony, later looked like they were having strong words about the phone call - which would have been deemed inappropriate for such an event

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Also that image with sunglasses is very maffioso, I am sorry to say.
A forage cap (as is the name for that military hat) has exactly that "roof" above the eyebrows to give shade. No need to wear dark glasses.

But he ALWAYS wears those dark glasses rain or sunshine...indoors and out.

I struggle to remember how he looks without them....

 

[maria-olivia]

Yesderday he entered the Church with sunglasses but he was next to me in the Church he did not wear his glasses.
He must have sensitive Eyes.

 

[theroyalfly]

But he ALWAYS wears those dark glasses rain or sunshine...indoors and out.

I struggle to remember how he looks without them....

This gave me a good laugh. But yes, indeed.

 

[SLV]

I suspect he indeed is sensitive to light, hence always the sunglasses. Other than that, his behaviour seems very rude to me.

 

[leidi]

I think the sunglasses are the least of his problems, if he wore them but behaved accordingly to his station, people wouldn't really give those a second look.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

I am sure that in his heart and character Prince Laurent is a good man. He is just a bit unlucky or eccentric in his public appearance.

 

[maria-olivia]

I agree 100 %, he was to show he is not pleased to be there , if all the Royals are doing that how amusing ...

 

[Moonmaiden23]

In his favor, I can say that his nieces and nephews and children seem to adore him. I have watched informal video of the family together, and they all surrounded him for hugs and kisses.

I think the fact that animals and children are drawn to him is important..but it's the grownups that he has a problem with.....

 

[Blog Real]

Yes, but Laurent cannot have these behaviors in public. These are attitudes that are bad for a member of the Royal Family.