King Philippe awarded titles of nobility and honourable distinctions to Belgians who have excelled in their respective fields on Thursday.
This year, 25 individuals were honoured at the Royal Palace in Brussels, including Paul Van Haver, better known by his stage name Stromae, who was warmly greeted with "Bravo Maestro!" by the master of ceremonies.
The ceremony, held in the Hall of Mirrors at the Royal Palace of Brussels, began slightly late due to morning traffic delaying some of the 200 guests. Queen Mathilde also attended the one-hour-and-fifteen-minute ceremony, which included musical interludes by pianist Marie Datcharry and soprano Margaux de Valensart. Following the awards, guests gathered in the grand gallery for a reception.
Ten individuals named baron or baroness during last year’s National Day officially received their titles from the sovereign. Among those rewarded, are Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (dancer and choreographer), Kasper Bormans (dementia expert), Henri Goldberg (President Auschwitz Foundation), Elisabeth Monard (chemical engineering professor at KU Leuven), Anny De Windt (founder of the youth aid organisation BiJeVa), Sabine Gössing (co-founder of the Alzheimer League), Anne Johansson (head of the intensive neonatology unit at Children’s University Hospital Queen Fabiola), Jean Rubay (cardiac surgeon), Emilie Meessen (co-founder of the Belgian Street Nurses association), and Charles Schelfhout (painter and illustrator).
Fourteen other Belgians were also honoured at the Palace for distinctions received this summer. Judge Christine Matray was elevated to Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold. Gynaecologist Marleen Temmerman and chef Peter Goossens were named Commanders of the same order.
Stromae, the highlight of the ceremony, was made Commander of the Order of the Crown. The artist has remained discreet since cancelling his world tour for health reasons in May 2023. The Royal Palace praised his "profound and unique musical universe," noting how his art makes Belgium echo across the world, much like Jacques Brel did in his time.
Also named Commanders of the Order of the Crown were Reginald Moreels (surgeon and former minister), Damya Laoui (cancer researcher), Seppe Nobels and Sang Hoon Degeimbre (chefs), Geertrui Serneels, director of trauma centre Solentra), Theo Vaes (entrepreneur), Geneviève Damas and Caroline Lamarche (authors), Marie Paquay (illustrator), Van Lysebeth (conductor), and Ayman Ramdani (Brussels youth worker).
