First Anniversary of Brussels Attack Marked By King and Queen

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians have commemorated the first anniversary of the 22/3 Brussels terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 32 innocent people during explosions at Brussels Airport and Maalbeek metro station.

The couple, alongside Prime Minister Charles Michel, first attended a ceremony at the airport where they laid a wreath before taking a train to Maalbeek metro station. At both locations, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde laid wreaths of white flowers and spoke with survivors, families of victims and first responders who attended the scene one year ago.

After the two ceremonies, the King and Queen then inaugurated a memorial monument made of stainless steel entitled ‘Wounded but still standing in the face of the unthinkable’ honouring the memory of the victims in the heart of Brussels. King Philippe gave a moving speech where he spoke of the resilience and dignity the survivors and victims’ families have shown over the past twelve months.

“No one can pretend to fully understand the ordeal you are going through. You who have lost a loved one and you who carry in your body and mind the aftermath of terrorist attacks, we want to listen to your suffering and respect your trials. To hatred and violence you have responded with dignity. To doubt and fear, you have opposed the courage and a magnificent will to rebuild. This morning you again witness it poignantly. This is an example for us.

“With countless victims around the world, you share the deep wounds caused by deadly madness…It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to make our society more humane and more just. Let us learn to listen to each other again, to respect each other’s weaknesses and to put them right. And above all, let us dare to be tender,” the King said.

Filed under Belgium
Tagged Anniversary, King Philippe of the Belgians, Memorial, Prime Minister Michel of Belgium, Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, Terrorism.

One Response to First Anniversary of Brussels Attack Marked By King and Queen