Monarchies Today - Royalty around the globe: A future Queen turns eighteen! - Belgium's PRINCESS ELISABETH celebrates Birthday in Palace (Friday 25/10/2019)

Last Friday the first heirESS apparent of the Belgian throne became an adult! Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant celebrated her 18th birthday in an official ceremony at Brussels' royal palace, with musical & dancing performances, and 80 fellow millenials (of her age) invited. The formal celebration was attended by her parents, grandparents, siblings & other family members, and in its duration her father King Philippe bestowed his daughter with the prestigeous chivalry Order of Leopold, named after the first King of the Belgians.

Order of Leopold, named after the first King of Belgium Leopold I

Princess Elisabeth second standing from right with her family

The ceremony began at 11am and was broadcasted live by several TV channels. Members of the Royal family, lead by former King Albert II (85) & Queen Paola (82), and including the Princess' siblings (Princes Gabriel & Emmanuel, & Princess Eleonore) uncle Prince Laurent, aunt Princess Astrid (Archduchess of Austria-Este) & first cousin (& godfather) Prince Amedeo, arrived first. Then the celebrant came separately with her parents (King Philippe & Queen Mathilde), and everyone took their seats. Elisabeth's maternal grandmother, Countess Anna Maria d'Udenkem d'Arcoz, was also in attendance.

The event began with a violin performance by Sylvia Huang & Lorenzo Gatto, laureates of Queen Elisabeth Music Competition.

Then the King gave a congratulatory speech to his daughter, being moved by wishing her to spread her wings towards happiness.

Elisabeth with her father, King Philippe

He spoke about the uncertain questions everyone has in her age, but also noticed that her generation is particularly prepared for a more fair & cohesive society, as well as to tackle with current global challenges. Philippe expressed his & Mathilde's pride of Elisabeth and the way she takes life into her hands, & reassured that her qualities will help her to achieve happiness in life. He concluded by describing Belgium as a 'human capital' & its monarch's duty to "bring out & stimulate the best in everyone", and mentioned the order HRH was about to receive as a family tradition, that he hoped to encourage her as another mark of confidence.

Upon King Philippe's address' conclusion, the attendants enjoyed a combination of dancing performances by the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp, first by ballerinas, then a duet of flamengo-style dance & finally all of them and additional performers, dancing together in the most popular opera tune from "Carmen".

They were followed by short congratulatory speeches of six young people (from Belgium and abroad), who had contributed in a variety of topics, close to Elisabeth's heart (from climate change, to children welfare charities & the Arts). After applauding them, Princess Elisabeth was invested with the honorary Order by her proud father, exchanged kisses with her family, and following her own speech, took a seat alongside 80 invited young people who had also their 18th birthdays in 2019.

King Philippe bestows Order of Leopold's replica upon Princess Elisabeth

Princess Elisabeth exchanges kisses with her emotional mother

In her address, the future monarch expressed optimism on her new steps in adulthood. She confidently added that while having still a lot to learn she will focus on a better understanding of the world, and on helping to improve it "by giving the best of myself". The Princess separately thanked her teachers present for guidance in life & focusing on climate & environment and family for relying on her as well. She told to her parents & siblings that they are 'a great team', also showing her pride of them & leading her mother the Queen to trying to hold back her emotions. Elisabeth concluded her speech in the three speaking languages of Belgium (Dutch, French & German) and reassured that "the country can count on me".

'Blanche' performing for Princess Elisabeth

A touching performance of three pieces by singer Blanche (accompanied by the clavier) came to conclude the celebration, before finnishing with singing the "Happy Birthday to You", and separate departures of the celebrants, performers & invited guests.

Joint photo of the Duchess of Brabant with Ballerinas & other performers

A final part of telecasted palace celebration were a few of official photographs of the princess with performers at the palace & on the stairs outdise. A private reception for the participants followed, while it was also reposted that HRH took more time to celebrate her birthday with friends, before returning back to her college in Wales, that same weekend. More photos of her were released ahead of her birthday, dressed in both official costume & ordinary clothes.

Princess Elisabeth was born on October 21, 2001, the first child of then heirs to the throne. An amendment of the Belgian constitution was made in 1991, allowing the throne's inheritance by absolute primogeniture, regardless the gender. Thus, after seven Kings in the country's modern history, Belgium will have its first Queen Regnant whether Elisabeth takes the throne. She took the customary title of Duchess of Brabant on July 21, 2013, the day her father ascended the throne upon the abdication of his father, King Albert II.

Birthday portrait with Elisabeth's father & grandfather

Her Royal Highness attended Belgian schools, and is the first heir of the throne to begin her education from Dutch language. Since last year, she is studying at UWC Atlanding College (in Wales, UK) with the goal of completing an International Baccalaureate in Spring next year. After turning 18, the Duchess of Brabant can, according the Belgian constitution assume Regency at any time without the need of regents upon her.

Apart from the 'Order of Leopold', Princess Elisabeth received a lot of other gifts by her family & the state. They included a wildmild zone in the arctic, new books, earings & a post stamp as well. Her photos used for it were taken by her father last Summer at Laeken castle. Further images of Elisabeth with the Royal family, taken on her birthday were released by the Royal palace the next day.