The King’s Feast (Belgium)

The Cathedral of St. Michael & St. Gudula where Te Deum is held
Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The King’s Feast (or Royal Holiday) is held in Belgium every November 15th. The day was created to celebrate King Leopold of Belgium’s name day and continues as a celebration of the current Monarch.

The King’s Feast is a federal holiday, but not a public holiday. The day is referred to in Belgium’s official languages as: Koningsdag (Dutch), Fête du Roi (French), Fest des Königs (German). (Feast refers not to a celebratory meal, but is used in the religious sense as a day honoring a person or commemorating an event.)

To mark The King’s Feast, there are two main events:

• The first is a Te Deum service held in the morning at the Cathedral of St. Michael & St. Gudula. The service is attended by members of the Royal Family. The King traditionally does not attend as the event is honoring him. 
• The second event is a ceremony at Parliament where honors are bestowed upon citizens. This ceremony is usually attended by the same royals who attended the Te Deum. 

Reign of King Philippe (2013-Present)

Unless otherwise noted, the Royals attended both the Te Deum & Ceremony at Parliament. 

Royals	2019	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
King Albert	x
Queen Paola	x				Canceled
Princess Astrid			x			Te Deum Confirmed
Prince Lorenz	x		x		X
Prince Laurent		x			Te Deum	Te Deum Confirmed
Princess Claire			x	Canceled	Canceled	Te Deum Confirmed
Total	3	3	6	4	4

Notes: 

2020 - events were canceled due to the Pandemic 

2021 - events were scaled down due to the pandemic

2023 - 10th Anniversary of King Philippe's Accession. Princess Claire canceled for unknown reasons.

2024 - Queen Paola canceled due to fall. Princess Claire was announced to attend. No reason has been given for her canceling. 

Royals	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
King Albert	x		x
Queen Paola	x
Princess Astrid	x
Prince Lorenz	x
Prince Laurent	x			x		Te Deum
Princess Claire	x					Te Deum
Total	6	4	4	5	4	5

Notes: 

2013 - Year King Albert Abdicated

Reign of King Albert II 

(Chart Showing 2007-2013)

Unless otherwise noted the Royals attended both the Te Deum & Ceremony at Parliament. 

Royals	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Queen Fabiola	x		Te Deum	x	Just Te Deum?
Prince Philippe	x
Princess Mathilde	x
Princess Astrid	x				Just Te Deum?	x
Prince Lorenz	x				Just Te Deum?	x
Prince Laurent	x
Princess Claire	x			x
King Albert		x
Total	7	8	6	7	7	6

Notes: 

2008 - 15th Anniversary of King Albert's Accession

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