King Philippe, Current Events, Part 1 (July 2013 - Sept. 2017)

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King Philippe had lunch with Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, at the Royal Palace today, June 4:



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On June 10 King Philippe chaired a working lunch devoted to innovation and the digital society. Jeremy Rifkin, American economist and essayist, was participating with representatives from the Belgian academic and economic world.


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King Philippe attended the national final of the Homeless Soccer Cup in Gent today, June 12:



** standaard.be video ** belga gallery ** facetoface gallery **

 

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King Philippe received International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing-Director Christine Lagarde for a meeting at the Royal Palace in Brussels today, June 17:



** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** belga gallery **

 

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King Philippe visited the KU Leuven University today, July 2nd, to meet participants of a postgraduate training for engineers. On this occasion a new solar car prototype was unveiled.



** belga gallery **

 

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King Philippe and former Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx attended the start of stage 4 of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 223,5km from Seraing, Belgium, to Cambrai, France, today, July 7:



** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** belga gallery **

 

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Yesterday, July 8, King Philippe hosted a lunch for the ministers who had accompanied him to a working visit to Germany back in March.



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King Philippe received the competitors of Worldskills 2015 and organizers of Worldskills Charleroi 2019 at the Royal Palace in Brussels today, July 17. Worldskills is an international skills competition for young people that is held every two years.


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[Duc_et_Pair]

For the Fête Nationale it has pleased King Philippe to bestow nobility or other decorations to the following Belgians:

Herman Van Rompuy (former Prime Minister, former President of the EU): the title of Count (for life)

Jonkvrouw Fabienne Claire Nothomb (known as the author Amélie Nothomb) is already noble but now is "promoted" with the title of Baroness (for life).

Prince Emanuel de Merode has been bestowed the honours of a Grand Officier in the Order of Léopold.

Bénédicte Frankinet (Ambassador of Belgium at the United Nations): the title of Baroness (for life)

Professor Dr Peter Carmeliet (renowned specialist in blood- and vasculair systems): the title of Baron (for life)

Hilde Laga (a lawyer, member of the Boards of Barco, Greenyard Foods, Aedifica, Gimv and Agfa-Gevaert): the title of Baroness (for life)

Professor Dr Jean Bourgain (renowned mathematican): the title of Baron (for life)

François Cornelis (former top-industrialist): the title of Baron (for life)

Professor Dr Koen Debackere (renowned economist): the title of Baron (for life)

Pierre-Alain De Smedt (Chair of the Belgian Union of Entrepreneurs): the title of Baron (for life)

Professor Dr Marc Henneaux (renowned physician): the title of Baron (for life)

Karel Pinxten (former minister and former mayor): the title of Baron (for life)

Professor Dr François Glorieux (pianist, dirigent, composer, academic musician): the title of Knight (for life)

Albert Vandervelden (owner of a renowned art gallery): the title of Knight (for life)

Jean Vanhamme (scenarist of comic strips): the title of Knight (for life)

 

[Mbruno]

Are hereditary titles of nobility still bestowed by the King of the Belgians or are all new titles "for life" only ?

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

The King still can bestow hereditary noble titles but these are seldom given.

Let us review the year 2014:

2014 Baron Paul Buysse (enterpreneur) - bestowed the title of Graaf / Comte, hereditary for his descendants

2014 Willem, Liduine and Monique de Westerholt Gysenberg - incorporation of foreign nobility with the hereditary title of Graaf / Comté

2014 Jonkheer / Écuyer Marc du Bois - bestowed the title of Baron, hereditary for his descendants

2014 Ridder / Chévalier Ernst de Laminne de Bex - bestowed the personal title of Baron

These four examples were not real new elevations as all already belonged to the nobility anyway. A real elevation in 2014:

2014 Herman Daems (Chair of BNP Paribas) - elevated into the nobility with the title of Baron, hereditary for his descendants

What often happens: "elevation into the Belgian hereditary nobility with a personal title". That means that the person him/herself is a Count, Viscount, Baron, whatever but his descendants are without title but belonging to the aristocracy (they can use the predicate Jonkheer/Écuyer if they want). Some examples:

2014 Johan Swinnen (Ambassador) - elevated into the hereditary nobility, the title of Baron is for his person only

2014 Serge Brammertz (Chief Prosecutor at the International Court of Justice in The Hague) - elevated into the hereditary nobility, the title of Baron is for his person only

 

[maria-olivia]

Herman Van Rompuy directly Count and his wife Countess, this is a great Honor !

These titles are not heditary.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Herman Van Rompuy directly Count and his wife Countess, this is a great Honor !

These titles are not heditary.

In 2015 King Philippe has not bestowed hereditary titles indeed. He did so last year, to Herman Daems (CEO of BNP Paribas) for an example.

It is not transparent when someone is elevated into the hereditary nobility, when someone has a title for life only and others a hereditary title. It is also not clear why the one is a Count and the other a Baron or something.

These belong to the privileges of the King, of course always with a contraseign of a minister (Royal Decree).

 

[maria-olivia]

I agree with you but this title is due because for what they did for the Country .

The Prince de Merode may not have a higher Nobility Promotion and is Grand Officier de l'Ordre de Leopold (Important rank in the Order).

 

[iceflower]

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King Philippe and Prince Gabriel attended the mass to commemorate Queen Astrid of Belgium, at Chapelle Astrid in Kussnacht, Switzerland, today, August 29:



** luzernerzeitung.ch gallery ** belga gallery ** facetoface gallery **


** nzz.ch: König Philippe gedenkt verunfallter Grossmutter ** translation **


** rtl.be video: Le Roi Philippe en Suisse rend hommage à la Reine Astrid décédée à 29 ans **

 

[eya]

Beautiful event and what nice that Philip had him Gabriel. It is remarkable the way Philip and Mathilde manage their children to participate in various events.

 

[iceflower]

I totally agree with you, eya

Today, September 3, King Philippe watched the Euro 2016 qualification soccer game between the Belgian National Team Red Devils and the National Team of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Brussels.



** Pic ** belga gallery **

 

[Marengo]

the king tried to participate in a 'wave', but the clip shows that he is a bit hesitant in doing so .

Ook koning Filip deed de wave, of toch een poging tot - HLN.be

 

[eya]

At least made an effort

 

[iceflower]

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King Philippe attended the kick-off of the new year of the Flemish youth organisation Chiro Flanders in Brussels today, September 12:



** belga gallery ** gettyimages **


** deredactie.be: Koning Filip op bezoek bij 3.000 Chiroleiders in het Jubelpark ** translation **

 

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King Philippe attended the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Volvo Car Gent today, September 18:



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** nieuwsblad.be: Koning Filip op verjaardagsfeest Volvo Gent ** translation **

 

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King Philippe made a working visit to German-speaking communities today, September 22. He visited institutes and schools in Eupen and Amel to learn about the dual training and synergies between the world of work and the school world.


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** belga gallery **


** grenzecho.net: [Fotos+Video] Schüler empfingen den König in der DG **


Later King Philippe swore in Sophie Wilmes as new Minister of Budget in the federal government during a ceremony at the Royal Palace. Former Budget Minister Herve Jamar is stepping down to become governor of Liege.


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[An Ard Ri]

H.M. King Philippe visits the emergency refugee shelter by Red Cross (Croix Rouge) at the military domain in Belgrade, Namur, Thursday 24 September 2015.

Belga

Belga Image - Editorial

 

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Earlier today King Philippe officially opened Train World, the museum of the Belgian railway company NMBS - SNCB in the Schaarbeek station in Brussels:


** facetoface gallery ** belga gallery **


** 7sur7.be:Le roi Philippe inaugure officiellement Train World ** translation **

 

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Today, October 1, King Philippe attended the forum Young Talent in Action organized by FEB-VBO (Federation of Entreprises in Belgium) in Brussels.



** belga gallery ** gettyimages **

 

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King Philippe attended the award ceremony for the 20th edition of 'Entreprise de l'annee' (French-speaking company of the year) in Brussels today, October 19:



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[An Ard Ri]

H.M.The King greets Slovenia's President Borut Pahor at the Royal Palace.

Belga

Belga Image - Editorial

 

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King Philippe made a visit to the Court of Cassation in Brussels today, October 22:



** belga gallery ** telebruxelles.be video **


Later King Philippe attended the State of Europe 2015 round table also in Brussels:



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On October 25 King Philippe received All Nippon Airways Holdings CEO Shinya Katanozaka at the Royal Castle in Laken on the occasion of the inauguration of a direct connection from Brussels to Tokyo.



** Pic ** belga gallery **

 

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King Philippe received the ambassadors of Albania, Austria, Israel, the Netherlands and Switzerland at the Royal Palace today, October 28:



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