Belgian National Day - 21 July, 2009-2023

[tommy100]

I think Philippe is just delighted when Laurent stays quiet and isn't embarrassing the RF as seems to happen on most of his public duties that he is probably okay with Laurent getting an official allowance and not doing all that much.

Loved seeing the King, Queen and family together.

[wartenberg7]

Originally Posted by Prinsara

Philippe is the only one who has stuck by Laurent through just about everything, so Laurent would be incredibly stupid to try biting that hand now.

I doubt he is honestly trying to do wrong by Philippe; he just can't behave properly. It's not like he ever has, and to be honest, using his phone is tame compared to much of what he used to do. I imagine the family is happy he's relatively calm these days.

He's good to the animals and he seemingly has a nice family. It could be worse. (It has been worse.)

Well, I don´t know a lot about his even worse antics from the past, but using a mobile phone as a royal Prince during a parade at the nation´s most important day of the year is, to put it mildly, most ignorant and an outrageous thing to do! This guy really needs a call down! Just imagine Prince William answering a mobile call during the Queen´s birthday parade on horseback...! Even seeing one of the Princesses at one of the windows inside Horse Guards Parade building having a call would cause a major scandal, and not only in the UK.

[Prinsara]

Originally Posted by wartenberg7

Well, I don´t know a lot about his even worse antics from the past, but using a mobile phone as a royal Prince during a parade at the nation´s most important day of the year is, to put it mildly, most ignorant and an outrageous thing to do! This guy really needs a call down! Just imagine Prince William answering a mobile call during the Queen´s birthday parade on horseback...! Even seeing one of the Princesses at one of the windows inside Horse Guards Parade building having a call would cause a major scandal, and not only in the UK.

And I'm sure if you aren't familiar with Belgian royal history and you expect "the cursed prince" Laurent to behave like a typical royal adult, it seems egregious. If you want to look at a few other threads to see the things he's done, it will stop seeming so.

And no, they can't disinvite him from the parade — it would cause even more problems. Laurent has ensured that no one takes him seriously. Better he's amusing people than worse. I feel for poor Princess Claire that it happens on one of the few times she goes out in public, but no one thinks she can do anything about it, either.

[BriarRose]

As others have said, using his cell phone is pretty tame for Laurent. He wasn't undermining Belgium's foreign policy or anything potentially irreversible.

I do think he has long-term mental health problems, and I feel for both him and his family. It's always a pleasure to see Claire at events. I'm more than content to see Laurant use his phone if it means we can have Claire attend.

I think Philippe has had to endure many things from his family (parents and brother). but it says a lot about who is that he has always done so with grace. I enjoy watching most of the royal families, but I have a special amount of esteem and respect for Philippe and Matilda. They have created a wonderful family unit.

[maria-olivia]

Originally Posted by BriarRose

I enjoy watching most of the royal families, but I have a special amount of esteem and respect for Philippe and Matilda. They have created a wonderful family unit.

Thank you !
Astrid and Lorenz, Laurent and Claire also created a wonderful family unit.

[Prinsara]

I have to confess I'm mildly curious to know who the heck it is Laurent decides he needs to call right then and there. Different person every time? Same person? And what about? "Yeah, hi, I'm on the reviewing stand. Are you watching TV?"

Too bad Belgian tabloids aren't as snoopy as British ones?

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by wartenberg7

As a huge animal lover myself I appreciate that. But is that enough to justify a priviliged royal life these days...?! I fully understand The King´s relieve about his younger brother´s low profiled role - but is that a life for a grown up, elderly man?! When I watch the Prince he occurse to me like a loose canon and one wonders what happens next (after using the mobile phone during a state occasion, pretending to sleep or remaining seated while everyone else stands during a march past of a military contingent...)
Obviously Laurent has not enough to do and a real purpose in life is absent. His obvious way to compensate his lack of selfesteem (or revenge for this meaningless existence of a third born Royal ?!) seems to provocate and embarrass his "working" family members, especially his elder brother...

Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent may be very grateful that the Belgian state continues to pay their lifelong dotation. The siblings of Princess Elisabeth will receive no any Eurocent from the State, as it has been decided to end these dotations, with respect for existing commitments.

The dotations are for Philippe & Mathilde, Albert & Paola, Astrid & Lorenz, Laurent & Claire plus Elisabeth & her spouse (there is a voluntary moratorium on that last dotation). In the future the Belgians will finance a similar group as their Dutch neighbours, at maximum six persons: the present King, the former King, the future King and their spouses.