While their presence is often overlooked in the face of the British Royal Family or Danish Royal Family; Belgium’s Royal Family are one to watch.
Whether it be King Philippe’s consistent work in progressing areas of international and national sustainability and science, or Queen Mathilde’s focus on education and gender inequality, the royal duo are consistently paving the way for the successful future of their youthful country.
With four young adult children beginning to rub shoulders with the world’s most elite, it’s time to get to know this elusive family of six.
Continue reading for everything you need to know about the current members of Belgium’s Royal Family…
Does the king of Belgium have any power?
Belgium is a country with a relatively young royal history. Following its recognition as an independent country, a hereditary constitutional Monarchy was established in 1831.
Belgium is governed by the royal office, meaning while the King is considered the head of state, his power is limited by law. The King only acts as a judge of the country’s harmony and independence.
Where do the Belgian royals live?
While some may think Belgium’s Royal Family live in the Royal Palace of Brussels, this grand central building remains a place of administrative work for King Philippe. It is a place for His Majesty to receive international dignitaries and host formal events while also allowing intrigued tourists access during the summer months.
The family’s formal residence is the Palace of Laeken. While the Palace is still located in the Brussels region, it is far enough away to provide the royals with privacy outside of the busy city.
Who is the current king of Belgium?
King Philippe of Belgium
King Philippe of Belgium is the eldest son of King Albert II and Queen Paola.
Born in Brussels in 1960, the young Prince was the first not to receive a private education. Once he turned 18, Philippe attended the Royal Military Academy, going on to join the Air Force as a fighter pilot.
His Majesty continued his studies in the US and UK where he acquired a Master in Political Science.
In 1985, Philippe began his royal duties in preparation to take his rightful place as King when the time was right. Notable positions held by the royal included the Honorary Presidency of the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency leading over 85 economic missions from 1993 to the present and as the Honorary Chair of the Federal Council for Sustainable Development advising the federal government from 1993 to 2013.
King Philippe and his wife Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz got married in 1999 and went on to have four children.
It was in 2013 that King Albert II abdicated, making Philippe the seventh King of the Belgians.
Since his ascension to the throne, His Majesty along with Queen Mathilde have made 15 State Visits around the world to strengthen foreign relations and share the work they undertake in areas of sustainability, economics, social, and scientific progression.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium
Born Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz in Uccle, 1973, Queen Mathilde is the daughter of the Count and Countess Patrick d’Udekem d’Acoz.
In her earlier years, Her Majesty attended schools in Bastogne and Brussels. Following this she studied speech therapy at the Haute École Léonard de Vinci and went on to obtain her Master in Psychology at the Université Catholique de Louvain.
Mathilde worked as a speech therapist from 1995 until 1999 when she married King Philippe.
Since becoming Queen in 2023, Her Majesty regularly accompanies her husband to royal engagements and uses her position to promote improvement in areas such as gender inequality, mental health, child poverty and education.
Over the years Queen Mathilde has held the positions of Honorary Chair of the King Baudouin Foundation, Honorary Chair of the Queen Mathilde Fund, Honorary Chair of Child Focus, and Honorary Chair of UNICEF Belgium.
Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant
Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant, is the eldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
Born in 2001, Elisabeth became the first in line for the Belgian throne and inherited the title of Duchess of Brabant.
In her earlier years of studying she received a classic private education. The young princess also went on to receive a Bachelor’s in History and Politics, an International Baccalaureate and her year in Social and Military Sciences at the Royal Military Academy in Belgium.
Her Royal Highness’s first official royal engagement began with the opening of the Princess Elisabeth Children’s Hospital in 2011.
In 2019 Princess Elisabeth took her first step in representing Belgium internationally when she joined her mother on a humanitarian visit to Kenya.
Now at 23 years old, Elisabeth is studying for a Master in Public Policy at Harvard University and spends her free time travelling and spending time with friends and family.
Prince Gabriel
Princess Gabriel is the second eldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde born in 2003.
The Belgian Prince is currently attending the Royal Military School where he is studying Social and Military Sciences in Dutch.
Before this, Gabriel studied in areas of Mathematics, Physics and Science, as well as obtaining his International Baccalaureate.
Prince Emmanuel
Prince Emmanuel is the second youngest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde born in 2005.
Just like his two older siblings, Prince Emmanuel received his International Baccalaureate in 2024. Furthermore, he is fluent in the Dutch, French and English languages. Today, the Belgian Prince is studying language and sports at a school abroad.
Princess Eléonore
Finally, the youngest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Princess Eléonore was born in 2008.
Much like her older siblings, she is a multilinguist and is currently furthering her English studies at the International School of Brussels.
