"We have been through a lot together over the past ten years, known both joy and sorrow," King Philippe said yesterday, in his traditional speech delivered on the eve of Belgium's National Day on 21 July: the same day that, a decade ago, Philippe became the seventh King of Belgium.
To celebrate this 10-year anniversary, The Brussels Times is pleased to present you with its favourite pictures of Philippe and his wife, Queen Mathilde, from over the past decade.
From meetings with the Pope, to helping victims of the devastating floods in the summer of 2021, to simply cheering on Belgium's national football team, the last ten years have certainly been eventful. Enjoy.
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe during a military parade on Belgium's National Day in Brussels, Sunday 21 July 2019. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde cheer on Belgium's national football team at the FIFA World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2014. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde meet with Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican in March 2015. Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe during a royal skiing trip to Verbier, Switzerland, in February 2016. Credit: Belga
Queen Mathilde, King Philippe, Prime Minister Charles Michel and Vice-Prime Minister and Interior Minister Jan Jambon commemorate the one-year anniversary of the 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks on 22 March. 32 people were killed and 324 injured in the suicide bombings at Brussels Airport and Maelbeek metro station. Credit: Belga / Didier Lebrun
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I in Brussels in November 2018. Credit: Belga / Laurie Dieffembacq
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe pose for photographers at the 'Tombeau du Geant' hill in Botassart, Bouillon, in June 2020. Credit: Belga / Julien Warnand
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe visit the flooded village of Pepinster, in the province of Liège, in July 2021. 43 Belgians are believed to have died in the floods that year. Credit: Belga / Bruno Fahy
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe arrive at the wedding ceremony of their niece Princess Maria-Laura at the Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral in Brussels in September 2022. Credit: Belga / Laurie Dieffembacq
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe during a state visit to South Africa in March 2023. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
And the inevitable bonus picture...
Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde wave to the crowd as they leave the Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral following their wedding in December 1999. Credit: Belga / EPA / Horst Ossinger
