While the popularity of the Belgian Royals is a far cry from that of their British counterparts, Belgium's Palace is also home to its fair share of intrigue, drama and scandal.
What does the family tree of the Belgian Monarchs look like, who is next in line for the throne, and what is all this business about an illegitimate daughter? The Brussels Times gives an overview of who is who, and how everyone is related.
King Philippe
King Philippe of Belgium ('Filip' in Dutch) – officially called 'His Majesty the King' – was born on 15 April 1960 in Brussels, as the eldest son of former King Albert II and former Queen Paola. He is currently 64 years old.
He has officially been the seventh King of the Belgians since 21 July 2013, when he took the oath on the country's National Day on 21 July – just a few weeks after his father Albert II announced his abdication on 3 July.
While he is a native French speaker, Philippe gives official speeches in both Dutch and French (and his traditional Christmas message is always recorded in German as well). It was often said that his Dutch – much like his body language – was a bit stiff and uneasy at the start of his reign, but that has changed as he has grown more comfortable in his role over the years.
Philippe was the first Crown Prince who did not receive a private education, but instead chose to follow a regular (and bilingual) educational path in primary and secondary schools in Belgium.
King Philippe of Belgium salutes the troops during the military and civilian parade on the Belgian National Day on Friday 21 July 2023. Credit: Belga
He began his university studies at the Royal Military Academy at 18 years old. He chose to join the Air Force and qualified as a fighter pilot, while also obtaining certification as a parachutist and a commando.
Following his military training, he went abroad to continue his studies: he spent a term at Oxford University (UK) and then two years at Stanford University (US). He obtained a Master's in Political Science.
At 39 years old (in 1999), Philippe married Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz – now Queen Mathilde. They have four children: Elisabeth, Gabriel, Emmanuel and Eléonore. Together, they combine family life with ceremonial and official obligations.
On the occasion of being on the throne for ten years last year, a survey showed that over half of the population (55%) is "fairly or very satisfied" with how Philippe has fulfilled his role, with 62% of those surveyed feeling that he had developed "rather or very positively."
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium. Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
The King and his wife are often given credit for modernising the Belgian Monarchy, as well as playing an active role in many political decisions and complex diplomatic cases.
While the King's role is largely ceremonial, he played an important part in securing face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic, helping to release aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele from Iran, and kickstarting the debate on reparations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo after unexpectedly expressing his regrets for the "colonial atrocities of the past."
Additionally, as he grows more comfortable in his role as King, he is adding a number of subtle nods to Belgium's popular culture to his reign, such as allowing Brussels DJ Lost Frequencies to perform on the roof of the Royal Palace, or appearing in a playful clip to warm up the country for the World Cup in a commercial with the Red Devils.
Queen Mathilde
Queen Mathilde, officially 'Her Majesty the Queen', was born in Uccle on 20 January 1973, as the daughter of Count and Countess Patrick d'Udekem d'Acoz. She is currently 51 years old and the first native-born Belgian queen.
She went to primary school in Bastogne (Luxembourg province) and completed her secondary education in Brussels. She studied speech therapy at the Haute École Léonard de Vinci and earned a Master's degree in Psychology at the Université Catholique de Louvain.
She worked as a speech therapist from 1995 to 1999, until she married Philippe, who was Crown Prince at the time. Now, the Queen assists him in his duties as Head of State and makes frequent visits to institutions and organisations, meeting regularly with members of the public, and attending ceremonies at home and abroad.
Mathilde also participates in state visits, receives representatives from various civil society groups, and makes numerous field visits.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium. Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
She has often been vocal about social issues and topics close to her heart, such as parenting and education, (child) poverty, the position of women in society, financial literacy, and mental health – both in Belgium and the rest of the world. She regularly visits social organisations and healthcare institutions and has founded several charities to decrease poverty.
Besides Dutch and French, Mathilde speaks English and Italian and has a good knowledge of Spanish.
She is often credited for a large part of the modernisation of the Monarchy, as well as for being the graceful and quiet force behind King Philippe.
The children
Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant
Crown Princess Elisabeth was born in Anderlecht on 25 October 2001, as the eldest child of Philippe and Mathilde. She is first in line to the throne and currently 23 years old. Since 21 July 2013, Elisabeth has held the title of Duchess of Brabant – a title reserved for the presumptive heir.
Like her father, she had a bilingual education and went on to complete a year in Social and Military Sciences at the Royal Military Academy after secondary school – which she passed "with flying colours."
Elisabeth will be graduating from her Bachelor's programme in History & Politics at Lincoln College (Oxford University) this year. After the summer, she will start studies at Harvard University (Boston, United States) for a two-year Master's degree in Public Policy, having recently passed the entrance tests.
Crown Princess Elisabeth. Credit: Belga
Princess Elisabeth is fluent in Dutch, French, German and English – and has surprised the nation with her flawless Dutch pronunciation during several interviews.
Several years ago, she was named among the world's most stylish princesses by the British edition of the Vogue fashion magazine, which called the Princess' clothing style "comparable to that of Kate Middleton."
On the occasion of her 18th birthday in 2019, she gave a speech in which she said she will do everything she can to serve the nation when she becomes Queen – capturing the hearts of many Belgians. When she succeeds her father, Princess Elisabeth will be the first woman to become Head of State in Belgium.
Prince Gabriel
Gabriel, Prince of Belgium, was born on 20 August 2003 in Anderlecht, as the second child of the King and Queen. He is currently 20 years old.
Since August 2022, he has been studying Social and Military Sciences in Dutch at the Royal Military School (162nd Promotion). He previously studied A-levels in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics at the National Mathematics & Science College in Warwickshire (UK) and obtained his International Baccalaureate at the International School of Brussels.
Prince Gabriel taking part in the military and civilian parade on Belgian National Day, 21 July 2023. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
Until the age of 16, Prince Gabriel followed his secondary education in Dutch at the Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege in Brussels – where his sister Elisabeth also went to school. The Prince is fluent in French, Dutch and English.
Prince Emmanuel
Emmanuel, Prince of Belgium, was born on 4 October 2005 in Anderlecht, as the King and Queen's third child. He is currently 18 years old.
Queen Paola of Belgium and Prince Emmanuel. Credit: Belga / Laurie Dieffembacq
Since the summer of 2020, Prince Emmanuel has been studying at the International School of Brussels for his International Baccalaureate. The course is taught entirely in English. Previously, he was educated in Dutch at the Eureka school in Kessel-Lo, just outside Leuven.
The Prince is fluent in French, Dutch and English. He lives with his parents, brother and sisters in the castle of Laeken.
Princess Eléonore
Eléonore, Princess of Belgium, was born on 16 April 2008 in Anderlecht, as the royal couple's fourth child. She is currently 16 years old.
Princess Eléonore and Queen Mathilde. Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
Like her brother Emmanuel, Princess Eléonore is studying at the International School of Brussels for her International Baccalaureate. The Princess is fluent in French, Dutch and English.
Princess Eléonore also lives with her parents, sister and brothers in the castle of Laeken.
Other family members
Former King Albert II and Queen Paola
The former King and Queen of the Belgians are the parents of current King Philippe. Albert (born in 1934) lost his mother when he was just one year old.
In 1959, Prince Albert married an Italian Princess, Paola Ruffo di Calabria. Together, they had three children: Philippe, Astrid and Laurent. However, Albert II also has an illegitimate daughter, Princess Delphine, who he has now officially recognised.
Former King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
Albert unexpectedly became King at the age of 59, after the sudden death of his brother King Baudouin (who died of a heart attack) in 1993. As Baudouin did not have children, Albert became King and reigned until 21 July 2013, when he handed over the role to his eldest son Philippe. He has nevertheless kept the title of King as per tradition.
As is well-documented in the Belgian press, Albert and Paola's marriage was rocky for nearly 20 years: their three children grew up in a loveless home, with a near-divorce and an extramarital daughter. After years of keeping up appearances, they reconciled again and will be celebrating 65 years of marriage in July 2024.
The former King – who is turning 90 in early June – is currently struggling with his health. Last summer, he contracted a blood infection, which required several days of hospital treatment. Just last week, he briefly fell ill at his holiday home in the south of France but did not require hospitalisation.
Princess Astrid
Astrid of Belgium was born on 5 June 1962 in Brussels, as the second child of King Albert and Queen Paola. She was named after her grandmother on her father's side, Queen Astrid (who died in a car crash, when Albert was one year old).
After attending primary and secondary school in Brussels, she studied History of Art at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Through her marriage to Lorenz of Austria-Este, Astrid also holds the noble title of Archduchess of Austria-Este.
Princess Astrid. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
Like her husband and their five children, Astrid carries other titles linked to the House of Austria-Este. However, these are not legally recognised in Belgium, as wearing foreign titles is prohibited by law.
Since the births of her brother Philippe's four children, Astrid is fifth in line to the Belgian throne. Now that Philippe is King, she represents Belgium on economic missions abroad.
Prince Laurent
Laurent of Belgium was born on 19 October 1963, as the third child of King Albert II and Queen Paola. He is now 13th in line to the throne. Prince Laurent is married to Princess Claire. They have three children.
Prince Laurent and his wife Claire. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
In Belgium, the prince has gained a reputation as the "troublemaker" of the family after gaining (negative) media attention for some of his comments and actions.
When he was younger, he was labelled an "unrelenting womaniser," and his relationship with Flemish model and singer Wendy Van Wanten and subsequent admission to a mental health institution made headlines across the nation.
Princess Delphine
Princess Delphine (previously known as Delphine Boël) was born on 22 February 1968, as the extramarital daughter of King Albert II of Belgium with Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps – making her the half-sister of King Philippe.
She attended boarding school in England and Switzerland. Later, she studied at the Chelsea School of Art and Design in London, where she obtained a Bachelor's in Fine Arts.
Princess Delphine during the military and civilian parade on Belgian National Day 2022. Credit: Belga / Bruno Fahy
In early 2020 – and after years of legal battles and a court-ordered DNA test – King Albert acknowledged that he was Boël's biological father. However, Boël did not settle for that and wanted to be treated like Albert's other children, and also bear the name 'of Saksen-Coburg'. On 1 October 2020, she was lawfully recognised as Princess of Belgium.
She is an artist, and often creates works alluding to her father Albert II and his failure to recognise her as his daughter for many years. She is married to James O'Hare, an American entrepreneur. The couple have two children.
