There were 40+ expensive ministers on front row, seated on plastic chairs, but there is no money to have the military dressed in parade uniforms or ceremonial tenues, like in all countries around Belgium. The École Militaire was the only detachement in proper uniform and also marching in perfect formation.
All other detachements wore daily tenue (camouflage dress) which looked quite pauvre, the marching was sloppy and uninspired. Even the Escorte à Cheval looked poor. All these litte tricolore flags at the lances were worn out. No fresh sparkling proud and fiery black-yellow-red but sun-bleached old rags. The uniforms were worn-out and one could spot that there are lots of female gendarmes (fantastic) in that escort but that they have to wear old male oversized uniforms instead of properly tailored costumes. What a poverty.
The King, Queen and their children looked absolutely fabulous. They can not help it that all these countless ministers do not manage that Belgium at least has properly dressed military.
Just watch Quatorze Juillet, the Trooping, Prinsjesdag, etc. and the difference is painful.
